Starbucks Company Settles Disability Discrimination Lawsuit
In this case, The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against the Starbucks Company for allegedly denying Elsa Sallard, who has dwarfism, reasonable accommodations and firing her from one of their locations. According the EEOC and the lawsuit, during an orientation, Sallard suggested that she could use a stool so she could more easily perform some of the tasks of her job. Later that day, Sallard was fired because the Starbucks Company claimed that she would put customers and employees “in danger.” The EEOC claimed that this action by the Starbucks Company violated The Americans with Disabilities Act. The Starbucks Company agreed to pay $75,000 to Sallard and to provide ADA training to all Starbucks managers and supervisors.
It is always puzzling to me as to why an employer will choose to fire a good employee instead of complying with the ADA and providing a reasonable accommodation. Not only is it against the law to treat someone this way but it is just wrong. It is all to common that a company abandons common sense and places profits over their people. Sad.
Cases just like this one occur all too often to employees all across the country and to the employees right here in Tennessee. If you or someone you care about feels that you have been discriminated against at the workplace for any reason, then we encourage you to contact one of our compassionate and experienced Tennessee ADA attorneys immediately. Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
