COMPANY REFUSED TO INTERVIEW AND HIRE A DEAF APPLICANT
In early February, McLane Northeast -- a distribution company with a facility up in Baldwinsville, New York -- was hit by a seven-person jury with a $1.675 million verdict for allegedly refusing to interview and hire a disabled candidate for an entry-level position with the company.
Because the company refused to consider the woman for employment, after it was learned she was deaf, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). And in early February, (after a 3 ½ day trial), a jury awarded the woman $25,000 in back pay, $150,000 in emotional-distress damages, and hit the company with $1.5 million in punitive damages.
In a written statement, Karla Gilbride, EEOC’s General Counsel, noted, “I’m heartened that the jury sent a loud and clear message with this verdict that discriminating against Deaf job applicants is a violation of the ADA, and that employers who know they may be violating the law but discriminate anyway will be punished harshly.”
Think that outcome was disabling?
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