EMPLOYMENT LAW: Michigan-based Firm Faces Disability Discrimination Lawsuit

August 1, 2011

Detroit, Michigan- J.A. Thomas & Associates was accused of disability discrimination violation after refusing to rehire an impaired employee, according to a lawsuit filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today.

According to reports, the employee was requesting to work from home in accommodation for her disability. The employer declined the petition and asked her to relocate to Georgia instead. When the woman refused, she was compelled to resign her post.

After the position has been unfilled for six months, the employer made it open for home-based applicants. The woman then re-apply for the job, but was told her disability made the employer prefer another candidate, reports said.

The worker reported her employer's misconduct to EEOC. The federal agency then filed the disability discrimination lawsuit in US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

The EEOC is seeking unspecified damages on behalf of the discrimination victim.