✰ ✰ EEOC NEWS ✰ ✰

 

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

3300 N. Central Ave., Suite 690

Phoenix, AZ 85012

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    CONTACT:    Mary Jo O'Neill

                                                                                                            Regional Attorney

                                                                                                            (602) 640-5044

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                            Sally C. Shanley

                                                                                                            Acting Supervisory Attorney

                                                                                                            (602) 640-5032

 

                                                                                                            Michelle G. Marshall    

                                                                                                            Trial Attorney

                                                                                                            (602) 640-5020

                                                                                                TTY:   (602) 640-5072

 

                                                                                    Arizona Center for Disability Law (ACDL):

                                                                                    J. J. Rico, Managing Attorney, Access Unit

                                                                                    T. Diana Chen, Staff Attorney

                                                                                    Peri Jude Radecic

                                                                                    Director of Public Advocacy

                                                                                    (520) 327-9547 or 1-800-922-1447

 

LUBY’S TO PAY $90,000 TO SETTLE EEOC/ACDL DISABILITY BIAS SUIT

Agency Said Phoenix Restaurant Mistreated Woman With Developmental Disabilities

           

            PHOENIX -- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Arizona Center for Disability Law (ACDL) today announced that they have reached a settlement in the employment discrimination lawsuit against Luby’s, Inc., a restaurant chain based in Houston, for disability discrimination.  The EEOC and ACDL alleged that a Phoenix Luby’s discriminated against Sally Case, a woman with developmental disabilities, by harassing her, failing to reason­ably accommodate her and forcing her to quit as a result. 

 

            “I’m glad that my case settled and I hope that these things won’t happen to anyone else,” Case said.

 

            The consent decree settling the suit provides that Luby’s will pay $90,000 to Case, plus attorneys’ fees and other relief.  Luby’s has also agreed to review its policies and provide training to its employees regarding disability discrimination.

 

            “We are pleased with the resolution of this case,” said Mary Jo O’Neill, the EEOC’s regional attorney for the Phoenix District.  “It represents a category of disabled worker that has been historically excluded from the work force.  Sally Case takes great pride in being a pro­ductive employee.”

 

            EEOC District Director Chester V. Bailey added, “The EEOC is dedicated to protecting the rights of these capable but vulnerable employees.”

 

            J.J. Rico, managing attorney for ACDL, commented, “Persons with developmental disabilities represent the fastest growing group of employees in the country.  Their reliability and dedication to their jobs are unmatched.  We hope that this settlement will help to ensure their fair treatment in all aspects of employment.”

 

The EEOC is responsible for enforcing the nation’s laws prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race, color, sex (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, disability and retaliation.  Further information about the Commission is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov

 

            The Arizona Center for Disability Law is a not-for-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals with a wide range of physical, mental, psychiatric, sensory and cognitive disabilities.  The Center’s mission is to advocate for persons with disabilities to assure that they have access to employment, education, housing, health care and other services to maximize their independence and achieve equality.  Further information about the ACDL is available on its web site at www.azdisabilitylaw.org