Federal Authorities Sue Walmart For Firing An Employee With Crohn's Disease

  • The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has reportedly sued Walmart Inc WMT for laying off a North Carolina employee with Crohn’s disease.
  • Walmart allegedly refused to grant the employee disability-related leave.
  • The EEOC’s complaint accuses Walmart of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act in treating the worker.
  • The associate, who had worked for Walmart since February 2014, was fired in April 2017 for incurring unexcused absences exceeding the number allowed under company policy, even though she had provided doctor’s notes.
  • The complaint further says Tucker asked for intermittent leave or excused absences and requested to be moved to a position closer to the bathroom.
  • While Walmart excused some of her disability-related absences, it did not accommodate several other absences due to medical appointments and hospitalization, the suit says.
  • CNBC reported that while at work, the associate served customers, took orders, prepared food, washed dishes, and lifted boxes of chicken weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • The EEOC is seeking monetary relief for Tucker, which includes back pay and compensatory and punitive damages. 
  • The commission also seeks injunctive relief against Walmart to end any ongoing discrimination.
  • Price Action: WMT shares are up 0.31% at $144.05 premarket on the last check Wednesday.
  • Photo via Wikimedia Commons
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