AGREED TO PAY EMPLOYEE $23K FOR ALLEGED DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION
Pearl Interactive Network, of Columbus Ohio, recently settled a “disability discrimination” charge brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Apparently, the company refused to afford a disabled employee a “reasonable accommodation,” wrongfully placed her on “unpaid leave,” and inappropriately shared her medical information; all in alleged violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
In addition to agreeing to pay the impacted individual some $23,000, Pearl agreed to modify its employment related policies and practices and will post appropriate notices on all company bulletin boards.
By way of written statement, Dilip Gokhale, director of the EEOC's Cleveland Field Office, noted that, “This conciliation agreement underscores the importance of employers adhering to the ADA's requirements, particularly concerning reasonable accommodations and the confidentiality of medical information …. We commend Pearl Interactive Network for its commitment to rectifying the issues and taking significant steps to improve its ADA compliance. The EEOC is committed to enforcing the ADA's provisions to ensure that all employees have equal access to employment opportunities without facing discrimination due to disabilities.”
This Pearl was far from a gem.
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