Ford Motor Company Sued by EEOC for Failing to Accommodate Disabled Employee

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sued Ford Motor Company, Inc. for allegedly failing to provide a reasonable accommodation to a disabled employee at its Dearborn, Michigan facility. The lawsuit claims that instead of accommodating the employee, Ford retaliated against her by subjecting her to progressive discipline and ultimately firing her. The EEOC alleges that Ford violated the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) when it refused to allow the employee to participate in its telecommuting program as a reasonable accommodation for her gastro-intestinal condition.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ford Motor Company, Inc. has been sued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for violating the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • The lawsuit alleges that Ford refused to provide a reasonable accommodation to a disabled employee, Jane Harris, by denying her request to participate in the company's telecommuting program.
  • Ford retaliated against Harris by subjecting her to progressive discipline and ultimately firing her only months after she complained about being denied an accommodation.
  • The EEOC attempted to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process before filing the lawsuit.
  • Ford Motor Company, Inc. is the second largest automaker in the United States, with over 200,000 employees and operations worldwide.
  • The EEOC is seeking monetary compensation for Harris, including back pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress, and punitive damages.

Statistics:

  • 2:11CV13742 - the case number of the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
  • 200,000 - the number of employees employed by Ford Motor Company, Inc. worldwide.
  • 26, August 2011 - the date on which the EEOC filed the lawsuit.
  • The EEOC is responsible for enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.

Sources:

  • U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (www.eeoc.gov)
  • EEOC v. Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Case No. 2:11CV13742)
  • Nedra Campbell, trial attorney for the EEOC