SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has charged in a lawsuit that Murphy Oil Corporation violated federal law when a spin-off company fired a store manager because of his disability.
Murphy USA, a spin-off of Murphy Oil Corporation, operates retail gasoline stores that are typically found in Walmart parking lots across more than 20 states. The EEOC alleges Murphy USA fired an employee of 10 years because of a back ailment. The company purportedly failed to provide reasonable accommodation for the employee as recommended by his doctors.
The EEOC additionally alleges the dismissal came immediately after the employee complained to management about the lack of accommodation for his medical restrictions.
"EEOC is committed to vigorously enforcing the ADA and its retaliation provisions," said David Rivela, EEOC senior trial attorney in EEOC's San Antonio Field Office. "Where efforts to secure voluntary compliance are not successful, we will not hesitate to sue to protect people who assert their rights under the law by reporting discrimination."
EEOC seeks back pay, compensatory damages and punitive damages for the alleged victim in addition to injunctive relief.
Although Murphy Oil is a separate entity from Murphy USA, the EEOC specifically named the company in its suit.