EEOC Sues Wal-Mart For Firing Disabled Employee

September 20, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed suit against Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. for refusing to allow a long-term employee with cerebral palsy to return to work after a medical leave. 
 

According to a news release, Wal-Mart terminated sales clerk Marcia Arney, who was attempting to return to her job following a medical leave for surgery. The surgery was necessary due to her disability, cerebral palsy. When Arney, who had worked at the store as a sales clerk for 22 years, showed the store manager a note from her doctor stating that she needed to take periodic breaks, he refused to return her to her job, and instead required she produce a medical release with no restrictions.

The EEOC alleges that the medical restriction could have been accommodated by the retailer.

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The suit seeks injunctive relief, including the formulation of policies to prevent and correct disability discrimination. The suit also seeks damages for Arney and punitive damages against Wal-Mart.

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