The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit alleging disability discrimination against multinational corporation Walmart, Inc. and its subsidiary, Walmart Stores Arkansas, LLC. According to the EEOC’s official charges, the retail giant violated federal laws by subjecting a nationwide class of employees with disabilities to unlawful testing.
Specifically, the EEOC alleges that the company based continued employment on an unlawful qualification standard, treating employees with disabilities unfairly. This operation is said to be in direct violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal law protecting workers with disabilities from discrimination based on their conditions.
A JDSupra report provides some key details, although the full text of the source article is unavailable. Nonetheless, the case marks another important point in the ongoing conversation about disability rights in the workplace. Furthermore, it highlights the need for companies to take pro-active measures in assuring they adequately accommodate the needs of their disabled employees.
As the case continues, legal professionals and corporations can expect closer scrutiny of their policies regarding employees with disabilities. This lawsuit underlines the necessity for them to ensure they’re in line with the ADA and other relevant legislation. Ensuring equitable employment practices is not only essential from a legal perspective, but it also contributes positively to a company’s corporate image and its relationships with its employees.