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The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) settled a discrimination lawsuit with Tractor Supply Company, a rural lifestyle retailer with over 50,000 employees throughout its 2,400 stores. The EEOC alleged that Tractor Supply violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when it disclosed an employee’s disability and created a hostile work environment. When the employee complained, the company fired her, which the EEOC says is retaliation. Tractor Supply will pay $75,000 to the former employee and will train all its employees about disability discrimination. Here’s how they got in trouble.
Violations of the ADA
According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, Tractor Supply revealed the employee’s confidential medical information, which led to the employee being harassed by other co-workers because of her condition. The employee was born with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV is considered a protected disability under the ADA. The employee complained to her supervisors about the hostile work environment. Instead of putting a stop to the harassment, the company fired the employee for complaining.
The ADA prohibits discrimination based on a disability and from disclosing private medical information. The EEOC attempted to find a solution through its administrative process but could not. Thus, they filed a lawsuit and continued to negotiate with Tractor Supply to find a solution. Tractor Supply agreed to the settlement just this week.
EEOC committed to enforcing the ADA
EEOC Birmingham District Director Bradley Anderson said, “[Employees] should also be able to work without being harassed because of their disability.” According to its website, Tractor Supply Company is “committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment…” and Tractor Supply is a “great place to work.” They’ve earned awards for diversity and for its benefits to families, including adoption assistance, pet insurance, and benefits that include domestic partners, as well as legal spouses. It’s sad that one team didn’t get the message.
