The EEOC recently filed suit against United Airlines for disability related employment discrimination. The EEOC alleges United failed to provide reasonable accommodations be transferring a workers with disabilities into available vacant positions for which they were qualified. The suit indicates that United terminated employees with disabilities or placed them involuntarily on leaves of absence even when willing, qualified and capable of working. A wide variety of workers report such discrimination, including mechanics, maintenance workers, flight attendants, and customer service employees.
EEOC Acting Chairman Stuart J. Ishimaru says, "The EEOC is focused on eliminating widespread disability discrimination in employment wherever we find it… employers in every industry should know that their failure to comply with the ADA's reasonable accommodation requirement will have legal consequences."
SOURCES:
United Airlines Sued for Disability Discrimination
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2362711/
United Airlines to pay $850,000 settlement for disability bias
http://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/articles/18584/1/United-Airlines-to-pay-850000-settlement-for-disability-bias-/Page1.html
EEOC Acting Chairman Stuart J. Ishimaru says, "The EEOC is focused on eliminating widespread disability discrimination in employment wherever we find it… employers in every industry should know that their failure to comply with the ADA's reasonable accommodation requirement will have legal consequences."
SOURCES:
United Airlines Sued for Disability Discrimination
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2362711/
United Airlines to pay $850,000 settlement for disability bias
http://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/articles/18584/1/United-Airlines-to-pay-850000-settlement-for-disability-bias-/Page1.html
24 comments:
I think it is a shame that United Airlines has not accommodated their employees with disabilities. So, considering their tenure, loyalty and dedication to their jobs no longer counts? It seems as if United Airlines viewed their employees with disabilities as inconveniences rather than individuals that strive for success and are hardworking. Great job to the EEOC for filing the suit! United Airlines needs to comprehend that most people with disabilities are great workers and enjoy working and being as independent as possible! Customers should also keep in mind that if they have disabilities they may also be an "inconvenience" to the airline company.
Amy G.
United Airlines is such a huge business and it surprises me that they would discriminate against people with disabilities in such a way. It is obvious that people with disabilities were an inconvenience to them that they went out of their way to fire them or obligate them on a leave of absence. Instead of providing proper accommodations for people with disability, now they are involved in an $850,000 lawsuit. Most accommodations cost less than $100; now compare that to an $850,000 lawsuit. American Airlines could have avoided the whole trouble of becoming involved in a lawsuit if they would have provided proper accommodations for people with disabilities or avoided discriminating against them. Now they are paying the price for their inappropriate actions and behavior.
The lawsuit being brought forth by the EEOC is justifiable, I think that United Airlines thought that they could take advantage or even get away with violating the rights of persons with disabilities. Employees with disabilites have the right to equal treatment in the work place and I think this lawsuit will make it clear to any other big company that if they violate any of these rights legal action will be taken.
-Anabel Ponce / REHS 6300
First of all, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission did an awesome job of investigating and filing a law suit against such an enormous corporation like United Airlines. This should be a great example not only to all the other airlines, but to other industries as well. If the EEOC can file a suit against an airline, why shouldn’t they be able to do so in other high-end industries? For example, bus or rail transportation which is still being used today. I think this law suit was an excellent example to all industries with disabled employees, especially the ones ignoring ADA accommodation requirements.
Gary Garcia
REHS 6300
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It is unfortunate that United has taken such a step backward in the progess made in this country in terms of people with disabilities in the workplace. They are a major corporation that knows better and yet has actively used illegal and unethical employment practices. It makes me wonder how these decisions are made in corporate America? Do leadership teams sit around and decide to use discriminatory practices. How this can happen especially with a major corporation is a mystery or just plain unlawful.
Cindy V.
It is a shame that an airline company that supposedly dedicate it's business to service is doing that to their own employees. They are only focusing in making money without caring for their own people.
If they will only care!
Its not fair for a person who work for a company for so many years to receive that kind of treatment. That employee not only went through difficulties accepting his disability but accepting the fact that he no longer had a job.
Great job for EEOC.
I hope that United Airlines learn from this and also other big companies.
Mary Carmen T.
I am not in shock to hear this, but it is sad to know that people with disabilities are being taken advantage of. I am glad that they were able to fight for their rights. I have heard stories of how companies dismiss people with disabilities even though they are capable of working. The economy is in a bind, but everyone deserves a fair chance for employment. THe first ones to go should not be people with disabilties. I dont know in what mental state the company is when thinking about who to fire and hire, but they should see the dedication, and hard work each employee contriubtes to the company.
Gabby Sanchez :)
Wow, remind me never to fly with United Airlines. Did you read about Joe Boswell, the mechanic? He had a brain tumor and when he returned to work the company wouldn't accommodate him with a vacant position that he was qualified for. The nerve of them! You know, it really makes me angry because you would think that a company as a huge as they are would be loyal to their hard workers, but my opinion is that the executives don't care about anyone else. They only care about their hefty paychecks. And it's mind-boggling as well because major companies always have an attorney/attorneys on their payroll. Did their attorney not realize the illegal implications of this company's actions? My gosh! You know, I know that the plaintiffs sometimes file a lawsuit merely for the principle of it all, but this airline company really got off easy with an $850,000 settlement. These workers deserve way more punitive damages, but again, that's just my opinion. Anyway, I'm glad we have wonderful watch dogs like the EEOC to make sure entities are abiding by the laws.
Vanessa C. (6300)
I will reconsider using United Airlines whenever I fly again. It is such a shame that such a large airline would discriminate against workers with disabilities. UA is accused of placing their workers with disabilities on leave without their consent. It seems that they viewed their employees as liabilities rather than assets. Shame on United Airlines for being so narrow minded.
Jeanette G
Well I will NEVER be flying United Airlines after reading this. This is hard to belive and swallow knowi ng that there are so many ADA laws. Are they all just a joke and no one is enforcing them? They are good reliable workers who givea them the right to be treated in such an unfare manner? Makes me think that our views on disabilty are going backwards instead of forward. E.G.
The behavior displayed by these individuals employeed by United Airlines may not be reflective of the entire corporation. However, when one persona makes a mistake everyone must pay. In this particular case, what occured may be a good thing. Now, we are aware of the discrimination that occured and we, as consumers, can make a sound decision whether we want to give them business or not. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't mean that the discrimination that occured was good...by no means, but the fact that we are now aware means that the likelihood of it happening again decreases. With every movement that has taken place, someone had to take a stand. In this situation, someone did. Hopefully, this will be the last we hear of United Airlines discriminating against its employees with disabilities.
Maggie Ybarra
REHS 6300
I'm quite sure that United Airline's attorney's a trying hard to prove that their client was not in direct violation of the ADA, but they're going to have a heck-of-a-time trying to pull that off. It's really sad to think that our country has regressed when it comes to civil rights for people with disabilities, yet, continues to fight ardently for civil rights of individuals who are same-sex oriented. What gives? How can we continue to recite the pledge of Allegiance and say the closing words "with liberty and justice for all" without cringing at the thought that our counterparts are being terminated unjustly? Are they really able to ‘walk-out” that liberty within the workforce if they may fear their job security? United Airlines should live up to what their name signifies and present a United front and allow other individuals (people with or without disabilities) to help grow their company. This in a way is 9-11 all over again, only instead of targeting major historical landmarks, people are being targeted. Have we really not learned from past mistakes?
Elizabeth C.P. - 6300
I would like to comment on what Daisy Hdz says, accomidations are alot cheaper than lawsuits. This decision of United Airlines will be costly when they could of saved money and stress instead of hanging on to thier negative mindsets. E.G.
Great job EEOC...first of all I'm glad that people around the world are doing something to help ensure that people with disabilities are not treated unfairly...especially like those in this article who have dedicated their time and worked hard to keep their jobs even with a disability....its a shame that they do all they can to work and then there are many people who dont have a disability that are to "lazy" to work and live off the government. Anyways, I dont understand why such a huge corporation could not spend minimal money to accommodate for their employees....but now they are facing a bigger expense, not only money wise, but "Reputation" wise...like my fellow classmate said, its a shame to see some members of society going backwards, when for so long we have fought for equal rights and a move forward... adriana correa :)
Commenting on Adriana comment, I agree that what was done with the lawsuit was excellent. Yes, most disabled people get view as "lazy" and are not get hired or discrimnated like United Airlines. Sometimes the system makes it hard for disabled hard to get a job. E.G.
I am in total agreement with Amy G.'s statement about most people with disabilities make great workers but just how MOST people with disabilities are great workers so is that true with able- bodied people. People are people with or without disabilities. E.G.
I think it is a shame to still hear about any type of descrimination still going on. furthermore, I also agree with Daisy a lawsuit will make the airline spend alot more money.
Gabriela L.
Isnt United just full of problems? and I bet there are a lot other agencies that also discrimination against people with disabilities but some are just too afraid of coming forward because of fear that they might lose their job completely. This is just terrible. How can those who discrimination sleep at night? Thats just mean to me and i cant see how someone can go on with work when they know they've done something wrong to someone else. Way to go EEOC for filing a suit against that airline compant. Doesnt United airlines see that right now the economy is in not that great of shape and they should really be trying to keep their customers instead of losing them. I'll prolly never fly with them after this :) Aissa S.
This is very upsetting. It is shameful. United Airlines, being such a big company, should know better. How could they not think that discrimination and lack of comprehension is not going to come back and bite them behind? It is great that EEOC filed the suit. Proves intelligence and advocacy for their people.
Idalia
wow, how obsurd is that. I is sad to see that discrimination is still in full force in some companies. I think that such actions of an employer just sets a person with a disability back from their goal in life. What is the harm of somebody wanting to try and support themselves and family. I am glad that legal actions are being taken. Hopefully this suit will make an example of this company and the consequences that will follow.
It's a big shame that United Airlines can only afford to purchased more AIRPLAINES for their companies future but compensating OVERTIME for their employees with disabilities is what United Airlines ignored the most.
Recently United Airlines purchased 15 AIRCRAFTS worth 200,000,000.00USD each.
It's a big shame that United Airlines can only afford to purchased more AIRPLAINES for their companies future but compensating OVERTIME for their employees with disabilities is what United Airlines ignored the most.
Recently United Airlines purchased 15 AIRCRAFTS worth 200,000,000.00USD each.
According to the EEOC ruling on United Airlines:
United Airlines will not discriminate against any disabled employee at SFO( UNIVERSAL ) on the basis of disability with respect to overtime eligibility.
United Airlines will provide monetary damages through the bankruptcy case to the class members, all of whom worked at SFO ( It should be UNIVERSAL )!!!
It's a big shame that United Airlines can only afford to purchased more AIRPLAINES for their companies future but compensating OVERTIME for their employees with disabilities is what United Airlines ignored the most.
Recently United Airlines purchased 15 AIRCRAFTS worth 200,000,000.00USD each.
According to the EEOC ruling on United Airlines:
United Airlines will not discriminate against any disabled employee at SFO( UNIVERSAL ) on the basis of disability with respect to overtime eligibility.
United Airlines will provide monetary damages through the bankruptcy case to the class members, all of whom worked at SFO ( It should be UNIVERSAL )!!!
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