• 07
  • July
    2011

When companies hire individuals who are disabled, it is often with the expectation that the company will provide the necessary training and accommodations for that individual. However, when companies fail to uphold their end of that agreement, the employment can be frustrating.

Target Corp. recently settled a discrimination lawsuit for exactly that reason. After hiring a disabled employee at one of their California locations, Target failed to provide the accommodations that they promised they would. Target then dramatically reduced the individual's working hours.

When the individual was hired, Target agreed to provide a job coach when he man was working. The job coach was responsible for periodically reminding the individual about the tasks he was supposed to perform. However, when the individual was working, Target failed to consistently make sure a job coach was available.

The lawsuit claims that Target discriminated against the disabled employee, and that the company was in violation with regulations from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Target agreed to pay $160,000 to settle the allegations. The company also agreed to change their practices and to provide better training regarding reasonable-accommodation requests.

According to a story in the local paper, the man was initially hired as a cart attendant. He has cerebral palsy, a seizure disorder and limited cognitive abilities. Both California law and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibit employment discrimination because of disability. Fighting back against Target helps ensure the man's rights are protected, and the lawsuit can work to prevent other people from suffering with the same struggle.

Source: Star Tribune, "Target settles bias lawsuit in California," Jane Friedmann, 6 July 2011