Tag: ADA

Employer Fails to Accommodate Temporarily Disabled Nurse

by Maggie Spell LeBato A recent decision by the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals—which covers Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas—offers a reminder about your obligation to provide a reasonable accommodation for an employee with a disability if it will permit her to perform the job. The ruling is also a reminder of what it takes […]

Lifting Restriction Dooms Hawaii Employee’s Disability Bias Claim

by Amanda M. Jones Disability discrimination claims are increasing in Hawaii. Case in point: A Hawaii employee sued his employer for disability discrimination even though the employer provided a year’s worth of medical leave and agreed to transfer the employee to a different position to accommodate his heavy lifting restriction. A Hawaii judge recently dismissed […]

Massachusetts

‘Impossible Demands’ Lead to Disability Discrimination Lawsuit

by John S. Gannon Employers routinely ask employees to provide adequate documentation demonstrating that they can perform the essential functions of a job. That documentation may come in the form of physical or mental examinations—commonly referred to as fitness-for-duty examinations. However, problems arise when an employer disagrees with the physician who certifies the employee as […]

To fire or not to fire? Even egregious acts require care before termination

What if you had an employee who apparently showed up to work drunk and then loudly swore at a coworker within earshot of customers? Would you: (A) fire the employee on the spot, (B) investigate and then terminate if evidence shows the accusations are likely true, or (C) let it go to prevent the employee […]