Mail Hauler Trucking, LLC., a company that delivers mail for the United States Postal Service in North Dakota and South Dakota, has agreed to pay $45,000 to settle a lawsuit over disability discrimination. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced this settlement after suing the company for firing an employee due to his disability.
The lawsuit claimed that the employee, who has a physical condition that causes weakness and stiffness in his legs, was let go despite being able to perform his job well. He worked as a mail driver on a route between Watertown and Corona in northeastern South Dakota and had never faced any performance issues during his time with the company.
The EEOC stated that the company’s actions violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which protects individuals from discrimination based on disabilities. After failing to reach a settlement through initial discussions, the EEOC took legal action against Mail Hauler Trucking.
As part of the settlement, the company will not only pay the employee $45,000 but will also implement changes to prevent future discrimination. They will establish policies to ensure employees are not fired because of their disabilities. Additionally, all staff, including managers and human resources personnel, will receive training on the ADA.
The settlement includes a three-year consent decree that requires Mail Hauler Trucking to report any complaints related to disability discrimination to the EEOC. This move aims to foster a more inclusive workplace and protect employees from unfair treatment based on their disabilities.