Chicago, IL – A Macomb business is being sued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for disability discrimination. The federal agency says Autozone refused to accomodate a worker with back and neck impairments.
EEOC Trial Attorney Justin Mulaire says the retailer insisted that Parts Sales Manager John Shepherd mop floors, even though he was medically unable to do so.
Mulaire says Shepherd was not allowed to assign the task to someone else even though it was a relatively minor part of his job. As a result, he suffered an additional injury. Mulaire says once Shepherd recovered, the store did not allow him to return and it eventually let him go.
Mulaire says Shepherd was able to perform other job duties. He says the EEOC expects to seek monetary damages for Shepherd.
Autozone Spokesperson Ray Pohlman says the business does not comment on pending litigation.
Additional information:
*The EEOC says it filed suit after first trying to reach a voluntary settlement.
*The case was filed in US District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Peoria Division. The case has been assigned to US District Judge Joe Billy McDade.
*The EEOC says the incidents began in 2002. Shepherd's injury occured in September 2003.