SAN DIEGO — Merritt Hospitality LLC and HEI Hotels and Resorts LCC have settled a lawsuit filed by a federal agency, alleging one of the companies' workers was fired due to her asthma, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a San Diego Embassy Suites hotel worker's asthma was aggrivated because her work area, which had no windows, was not ventilated. After bringing this problem to the attention of the company, San Diego Embassy Suites failed to accommodate the employee for her disability, which resulted in her going to the emergency room and, eventually, to her firing, the EEOC said. The EEOC says these actions violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
"The interactive process is an integral part of the ADA and requests for accommodations must be taken seriously," EEOC Los Angels regional attorney Anna Park said in a statement. "We are encouraged that Merritt Hospitality and HEI Hotels and Resorts have put in place meaningful measures to address disability discrimination and create a more inclusive workplace."
The settlement includes Merritt and HEI paying $125,000 and to secure an EEO monitor and internal ADA coordinator as well as a revision of company ADA policies and procedures.
"The EEOC strives to dispel the stereotype that providing reasonable accommodations will have a negative impact on employers," added EEOC San Diego Local Office director Christopher Green. "The injunctive relief put in place by this decree will have a longlasting effect on the company and all its employees."