Employees in Florida and across the country who have physical restrictions are protected from discrimination by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Victims of such workplace discrimination may seek the support of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC will endeavor to negotiate voluntary compliance, failing which, legal action will be taken.
One such lawsuit was recently filed against the holding company of a gasoline retailer that operates in the parking lots of Walmart in over 20 states. According to the complaint, a worker who had been employed by the defendant for 10 years developed a back ailment. His doctor ordered specific accommodations to be made by the employer, but those accommodations were refused.
The employee apparently reported his superior's failure to accommodate his medical restrictions to the management of the company. The lawsuit alleges that the man's employment was terminated immediately after this complaint was filed. The ADA also has provisions to protect employees against retaliation.
The EEOC encourages employees in Florida and other states who are victims of workplace discrimination to assert their rights by reporting it. Any workers whose employer fails to allow reasonable accommodation for physical restrictions is free to retain the services of an experienced labor law attorney. A lawyer can advocate on behalf of the victim during reporting to the EEOC and also in litigation if the case goes to court. An attorney can fight for the worker to be awarded compensatory damages, such as back and future pay along with punitive damages if deemed appropriate under applicable laws.
Source: legalnewsline.com, "EEOC accuses Murphy Oil Corporation of disability discrimination", Mark Landolo., May 11, 2016