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Benefits June 25, 2009
Kmart Faces ADA Suit over Firing of Cane-Using Greeter
June 25, 2009 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sued retailer
Kmart over allegations it fired a store "greeter" because he
needed to use a cane due to back problems.
Reported by Fred Schneyer
The EEOC leveled the allegations in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Virginia, charging that Kmart violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by discharging Alonzo McGlone from his job at a Norfolk Kmart store.
The agency alleged McGlone was successfully performing his job duties when store officials saw him using the cane and fired him because of it. The suit demands reinstatement to the same or similar job as well as back pay and damages.
“Mr. McGlone lost his job because he needed to use an assistive device to walk,” said Herbert Brown, director of the EEOC’s Norfolk Local Office, in a news release. “It is unfortunate that many employers still deny people who are ready and able the opportunity to work simply because of a disability. The EEOC will continue to fight for the rights of people victimized by such prejudices.”