WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit June 4 against Walmart Stores East LP for allegations of denying reasonable accommodations to employees who are deaf.
"Employers must provide accommodations to deaf and hard-of-hearing employees, so that they can enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment, such as obtaining information disseminated at meetings and participating in meetings," Mindy Weinstein, EEOC Washington Field Office acting director, said in a statement.
Troy Miles and Tonya Bland worked at Walmart Store No. 5941 in Northwest Washington D.C. According to the EEOC, these two employees were denied access to sign language interpreters and other communications accommodations.
"It was unlawful to ignore deaf employees' need for effective reasonable accommodations,” EEOC Regional Attorney Debra M. Lawrence, said in a statement. “When employers violate the law, EEOC will hold them accountable."
EEOC's Washington Field Office oversees agency operations in District of Columbia and the Virginia counties of Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford and Warren; and the independent Virginia cities of Alexandria, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park and Winchester.