Disability Discrimination: Verizon Settles Disability Discrimination Suit with $20 Million

July 6,2011

Baltimore- Verizon Communications has agreed to pay $20 million as settlement for Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) disability discrimination suit.

The telecommunications giant cooperated in a conciliation process and it agreed to the conditions presented by EEOC officials, reports said.

According to reports, EEOC filed a nationwide class lawsuit against 24 named subsidiaries of Verizon after discovering the company's failure to accommodate employees with disabilities. The employer implemented a "no fault" attendance policy which deprives impaired workers of reasonable leave benefits.

Moreover, Verizon suspended or terminated employees who needed extended leave for hospitalization or recuperation.

As stated in the lawsuit, Verizon compelled the workers to meet a maximum number of "chargeable absences" and to face disciplinary consequences if the rule was violated.

The policy can cause disabled employees to eventually suffer from demotion or termination.

EEOC filed the lawsuit in US District Court in Maryland. The Verizon Communications entered into conciliation and agreed to pay $20 million as compensation for the huge number of aggrieved employees.

The employer also agreed to comply with EEOC regulations such as conducting discrimination training, revising the attendance policy, and reporting similar cases.