GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Michigan egg producer faces a lawsuit from the federal government, alleging a line worker at the poultry ranch with a disability was subjected to a hostile work environment.
According to a March 4 U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) news release, the agency filed a lawsuit against Herbuck Poultry Ranch in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan alleging the ranch did nothing to stop the harassment of one of its line workers. The EEOC says the worker was mocked, called names and faced "physical imitation" of her symptoms. The employee's supervisor also followed her to the bathroom to time her brakes while shouting at her to get back to work, according to the EEOC.
"An employer cannot condone a work environment where an employee with an impairment is ridiculed because of it," EEOC trial attorney Dale Price said in a statement. "It must step in to stop such behavior. The EEOC will vigorously pursue violations of the ADA and seek injunctive relief when employers fail to act promptly and appropriately."
The EEOC seeks back pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress and punitive damages.