DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION: Jury Asks AutoZone to Settle $600,000 Verdict for Disability Discrimination

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Peoria – A jury has asked AutoZone, Inc. to pay $600,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) after failing to provide reasonable accommodations to one of its sales managers, the EEOC announced today.

According to the lawsuit filed in 2007, the company required a sales manager to mop the floor, and perform cleaning chores. The suit said mopping and cleaning were tasks that were non-essential for the employee’s job.

The employee asked not to be assigned to mop the floor as it would be dangerous for his permanent neck and back disability. He even backed it up with medical records and recommendations, but the company administration did not consider his request.

As a result, his disability worsened and he was forced to take a medical leave while undergoing treatment.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers should provide reasonable accommodations to employees with known disability conditions. Tasks that are not relevant to their position should not be assigned to them.

Aside from paying $600,000, AutoZone will also improve its anti-discrimination policies for employees.