Walmart is facing a lawsuit for mistreating two employees with intellectual disabilities at its Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin store. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed the case, accusing Walmart of refusing to provide a job coach and allowing supervisors to create a hostile work environment.
The problem took place in late 2021, when the two cart pushers reportedly endured insults from their supervisors. According to the EEOC, the employees were called names like “stupid” and “slow,” with one supervisor even using a slur. This same employee said the supervisor once shut the store door on him and sent him home early. When the store manager didn’t step in to stop the harassment, the employee felt he had no choice but to quit.
The lawsuit also highlights Walmart’s refusal to accommodate one employee’s need for a job coach. Even though the job coaches offered their help for free, the store’s managers and human resources would not let them in or discuss important matters like the employee’s schedule, training, breaks, or harassment issues.
This kind of treatment goes against the Americans with Disabilities Act, which says employers must provide reasonable accommodations unless it’s too much trouble. The EEOC tried to settle the matter before going to court but decided to file a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin after talks failed.
This case shines a light on the importance of respect and proper support for workers with disabilities. It also shows that companies like Walmart have a responsibility to keep workplaces safe and fair. The outcome of the lawsuit could have an impact on how businesses handle accommodations and protect employees from discrimination in the future.