In the largest settlement in the history of the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC), Verizon Communications has agreed to settle a class action disability discrimination lawsuit. The lawsuit, EEOC v. Verizon Del. LLC, challenges the company’s attendance policies, asserting that the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by maintaining attendance policies that did not adequately accommodate disabled employees.
Under the ADA, employers are required to take reasonable actions to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. This can be a simple step such as changing your start time or changing your workspace. If the employer fails to take such action, you may have a claim for disability discrimination. Speaking directly to an experienced Georgia employees’ rights attorney can provide you counsel on the best solution to your problem.
Here, Verizon maintained a disciplinary policy that included progressively
serious consequences for absences – including absences due to an
employee’ disability. By settling the lawsuit, Verizon does not
admit liability or the validity of the allegations. However, Verizon acknowledges
the importance of working together with employees to determine the nature
of their disabilities and whether accommodations should be made. In a
statement, Verizon noted, “Hopefully this nationwide decree will
further public awareness of the importance of engaging in an interactive
process to determine whether a disabled employee must be accommodated
under the ADA.”
If you suffer from any medical, physiological, or psychiatric condition
that substantially limits a major life activity, your employer may be
able to make reasonable accommodation for that condition. In addition
to the ADA, your case may involve other federal or state laws, such as the
Family and Medical Leave Act. If you have questions or believe you are being discriminated against,
contact the dedicated
Atlanta workers rights lawyers at once at The Buckley Law Firm, LLC for a confidential consultation.