EMPLOYMENT LAW: Employee With Heart Impairment Sues Employer for Discrimination

September 23, 2011

Concord- A worker with heart illness has filed a discrimination lawsuit against Windmill International Inc. in New Hampshire, according to US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) website today.

Reports said, Nancy Hajjar reported her employer's misconduct after she was fired on the basis of her medical condition.

Hajjar informed her employer on March 22, 2010 that she has circulatory or cardiovascular illness. She also disclosed to her supervisor that she may need heart surgery to unblock carotid arteries. On April 5, she requested leave for her to undergo the medical treatment, reports said.

As stated in the lawsuit, Windmill management responded by firing her a week after her request and stated poor performance as the reason.

Hajjar filed a complaint at EEOC, explaining that she did not receive any written poor performance notice before until the incident. She also told the agency that her employer's arguments for the termination lack basis, reports said.

The federal agency filed the discrimination lawsuit at US District Court for the District of New Hampshire. EEOC is seeking compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of the aggrieved employee.