WILL FORK OVER $158K AND MODIFY ITS EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
Community Hospital which is operated by Munster Medical Research Foundation, Inc., has agreed to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), for $158,000.
Apparently, the hospital wouldn’t let a nurse return to work, after an injury posed “lifting restrictions.” While the individual was qualified for a different (vacant) position, the hospital opted to terminate her employment.
Believing that such conduct violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, the EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. Munster Medical Research Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Community Hospital, Case Number 2:23-cv-201) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief.
In addition to the payment, Munster has agreed to modify its employment-related policies and practices and to provide annual training on the requirements of federal law.
In a written statement, EEOC Indianapolis District Office Regional Attorney Kenneth L. Bird noted that, “The ADA requires an employer to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities that will allow them to perform their essential job duties …. When an employee can no longer perform the essential duties of her current job, the ADA provides that reassignment to a vacant position may be a reasonable accommodation. The EEOC is ready to step in to enforce disability discrimination law.”
Do you think this Munster acted cheesily?
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