As a joke based on losing a Super Bowl bet, some employees at the New England Telephone Company hung a noose in the workplace. Upon seeing the noose, Herman Wilson, a black co-worker, promptly took it down and reported the incident to management. The perpetrators of the incident were reprimanded and warned that further incidents would result in more serious discipline. In addition, management sent a message to all employees explaining the history of the noose as a symbol of racial hatred. Nevertheless, Mr. Wilson filed a complaint of discrimination based on racial harassment