Healthcare Organizations Targeted for Discrimination Lawsuits
November 17, 2017Discrimination in the workplace is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Unfortunately, workplace discrimination against disabled applicants and employees still happen. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sues employers who discriminate against workers with disabilities. Recent lawsuits indicate that healthcare organizations are special targets of the EEOC.
The EEOC discovered that medical organizations often discriminate, but cannot afford the negative publicity of a lawsuit. This allows the EEOC to combat discrimination against disabled healthcare workers on a scale. No healthcare business wants the public to hear of a lawsuit and will often settle quickly. In other words, a mere allegation of disability discrimination results in a victory for the EEOC. This increases the statistics for the EEOC, and forces medical organizations to perform a greater diligence in combating discrimination.
Good News for Healthcare Workers
This situation provides good news for healthcare workers. Whereas proving disability discrimination is at times difficult, it happens more often than many know. The fact that the EEOC appears to be targeting healthcare businesses means that healthcare workers have better protection than workers in other industries. No one should face discrimination in the workplace, especially people with disabilities. The federal government passed the ADA because people with disabilities have the greatest difficulty securing employment. Yet, one would expect that the medical industry would prevent the possibility of such lawsuits.
For instance, the EEOC cited one company because it fired a warehouse clerk when she had to take an extended leave to have a tumor surgically removed. Another medical service company failed to hire a qualified worker after discovering she had cerebral palsy. A medical facility terminated a food service worker because her disability, caused by hydrocephalus, interfered with her job. The company did so despite knowing that a non-profit organization was willing to retrain her. These are some of the cases against healthcare organizations investigated in recent years by the EEOC.
South Jersey Employment Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Fight for Victims of Disability Discrimination
The South Jersey employment lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. have fought for the rights of disabled employees. Whether a healthcare organization is the discriminating entity or any other, workplace disability discrimination is illegal. Let us take up your cause and fight for you. To schedule a free consultation, fill out our online contact form or call us today at 866-569-8744.