Disabled individuals have certain rights in Florida workplaces, regardless of the type of workplace or job requirements. Walmart, the nationwide retail giant, recently faced legal complications over a store location’s treatment of an employee with a disability. As the result of a civil claim filed against the company, Walmart will have to pay $40,000. The retail company will also have to provide additional training on disability discrimination for managers.
The lawsuit originated from an incident involving a worker who lacks part of her arm because of a congenital deformity. Her right arm ends at the elbow, but she is able to lift and do certain tasks. After she was hired by Walmart, she reported for a required test for workers hired as freight handlers. Seeing her arm, the test administrators asked if she needed assistance to complete the physical test. The worker declined help, stating that she was able to perform the test on her own.
After declining help multiple times, she was refused the opportunity to complete the test without the help of certain device. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is illegal to refuse to hire someone because of his or her disability. This means that by Walmart refusing to allow the applicant to complete a test needed to secure her job, they violated the ADA.
Disability discrimination is a serious violation of federal employment laws. If a Florida employee believes he or she is a victim of this type of illegal treatment, it is appropriate for that individual to pursue damages through a civil claim. Like this Walmart employee did, it is possible to hold employers accountable for actions that are inappropriate and illegal.
