RV Giant Hits a Roadblock

Last month, a leading RV manufacturer agreed to pay $95,460 and provide additional relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”).

The lawsuit alleged that the company failed to accommodate an employee who required time off to treat a hereditary condition. The federal court ruled that the company should have modified its attendance policy to accommodate the employee’s need for medical leave and not doing so violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The court also found that the company failed to fulfill its duty under the ADA to engage in the interactive process regarding the accommodation request.

The settlement includes a court-approved public consent decree that mandates a $95,460 payment to the employee, a two-year injunction against discrimination, and various measures to prevent future ADA violations.

Kenneth L. Bird, the EEOC’s regional attorney in Indianapolis, noted: “If an employer can accommodate an employee’s need for leave without undue hardship, it cannot refuse that accommodation just because it has a strict attendance policy.”

This case underscores the necessity of employer compliance with the ADA to avoid legal exposure and costly litigation. Reach out to the knowledgeable Wright Beamer attorneys at 248.477.6300 now to assess your ADA compliance and mitigate any potential legal liabilities.