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ADA

ADA: Now AutoZone has the pain in the neck

07/13/2011
A federal jury has returned a $600,000 verdict against AutoZone, ruling that the auto parts chain’s Macomb store violated the ADA when it refused to accommodate a sales manager’s request to be exempted from mopping floors due to a neck injury.

Expressing concern about employee’s condition isn’t enough to show disability discrimination

07/06/2011
When a disabled employee reports a relapse or worsening condition, it’s natural to express sympathy. As long as that expression doesn’t show prejudice or stereotypical views about the condition or disabled individuals in general, that won’t put you on the losing end of an ADA lawsuit.

When employee’s partner has difficult pregnancy, be prepared to offer ADA accommodations

07/06/2011
Here’s a novel legal theory of disability law that may spell trouble for some employers: Criticizing and punishing a worker whose partner is experiencing a complicated, disabling pregnancy may be association discrimination under the ADA.

How to manage ‘job creep’ in today’s jobless recovery

06/30/2011
More than half of all employees have taken on new roles during the eco­nomic downturn, according to a recent Spherion Staffing survey. That’s “job creep,” and it’s a big problem. Job creep has important employment law implications and it also means many of your job ­descriptions are probably outdated.

The EEOC, maximum leave policies and the new ADA amendments

06/30/2011
The EEOC is getting serious about helping disabled Americans. In early June, the agency held a public meeting on the use of leave as a reasonable accommodation. That move came just two weeks after the agency put its new ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) regulations into effect.

Work the ADA process when it isn’t obvious an employee has a qualifying disability

06/30/2011

Sometimes, employees jump right into requesting reasonable accommodations, even if it’s not obvious they have a disabling medical condition. Does the employer automatically violate the law by refusing to consider the request? That’s the question the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals just answered.

Consider additional leave as ADA accommodation

06/28/2011
According to the EEOC, leave may be a reasonable accommodation. If you fire disabled employees without at least considering time off as an accommodation, you might be sued.

KobeWieland pays $84,750 to settle ADA suit

06/23/2011
A North Carolina man whose job offer was rescinded when KobeWieland Copper Products discovered he was missing several fingers will receive $84,750 under the terms of a settlement brokered by the EEOC.

Know ADAAA rules on accommodations for disabilities that can be medically controlled

06/23/2011
The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has sent a signal that it may now hold employers to a higher standard when it comes to employees whose disabilities are under control, but need time off to keep them that way.

Check your leave policies! EEOC looks at return-to-work issues

06/08/2011
Now is the time to review your return-to-work policies and practices for employees on leave. They need to be integrated without regard to the reason that prompted leave. Treating workers differently depending on the reason for their absence opens the possibility of a disability discrimination claim.