Disabled Worker Receives $90,000 Settlement

The U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reports that a McDonald's franchise in Philadelphia will be paying $90,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit. The suit alleged that Timothy Artis, a lot and lobby worker at a McDonald's franchise store, was unlawfully harassed because of his intellectual disability.

Mr. Artis claimed that his supervisors had called him offensive and degrading names that were in relation to his disability. There was also the use of force against him, including one instance where he was threatened with a box cutter. His mother eventually stepped in and complained to store officials about the alleged harassment that was taking place, but the company failed to take appropriate action.

The harassment that was based on Mr. Artis' intellectual disability was in violation of Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment. More about ADA can be found on FindLaw.

Alstun LLP, which owned and operated the Philadelphia McDonald's of alleged discrimination, must now post and maintain EEOC remedial notices and posters in addition to the $90,000 settlement. The suit also requires that the company train all managers and supervisors about the ADA's protections against disability discrimination.

EEOC reports that during the fiscal year of 2009, disability discrimination charges reached a record high level of 21,451, which was a 10 percent increase from the year before. Anybody in Texas who has been discriminated based on a disability in the workplace, should contact a Texas employment lawyer or file a complaint with the EEOC.

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