• 13
  • July
    2011

When individuals with disabilities accept positions at companies in San Francisco, it is with the expectation that the company will then provide the appropriate accommodations. Whether that means extra assistance with certain tasks or additional excused absences for appointments - it is inexcusable to discriminate against individuals with disabilities.

But that doesn't stop some employers.

Verizon Communications recently agreed to pay $20 million to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit. According to the lawsuit, Verizon failed to "accommodate hundreds of workers whose absences were caused by their disabilities."

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission stated that this is the largest lawsuit claiming violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

According to the lawsuit, Verizon employees were forced to work against an absence code that did not provide individuals with disabilities any leeway. Under their existing absence policy, each time an employee was absent, he or she accumulated points. When an employee reached a certain number of points, he or she was disciplined and often fired.

According to the EEOC, individuals who have disabilities may need additional absences, and that should be expected when employers consider providing accommodations for them.

The chair of the EEOC emphasized the importance of a flexible absence program for individuals with disabilities. When employees are allowed to take the absences they need without facing negative repercussions, it benefits them, the company and the economy. Conversely, "an inflexible policy may deny workers with disabilities a reasonable accommodation to which they're entitled by law - with devastating effects."

Source: The Baltimore Sun, "Verizon to pay $20 million to settle discrimination suit," Lorraine Mirabella, 6 July 2011