EEOC Sues on Behalf of Nurse Alleging Disability Discrimination, Retaliation and Harassment
- posted: Nov. 09, 2024
- Employee Rights
Well-run businesses maintain a culture of compliance and regularly reinforce the need to follow employment laws at all levels of their operation. On the other hand, companies that conduct their daily business without regard for the rules that govern workplaces often find themselves on the wrong end of multiple complaints, sometimes even from a single employee.
A lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in Chicago makes several different allegations on behalf of a licensed practical nurse employed by Helia Healthcare. Potential instances of illegal conduct include the following:
Sexual harassment — While working in Helia’s Salem, Illinois facility, the nurse was harassed by the director of nursing, according to the complaint. The mistreatment included unwanted physical contact, which she reported to management.
Disability discrimination — During the course of her employment, the alleged victim required surgery on her foot. This necessitated a short period of absence. Instead of providing leave to accommodate her medical condition as required by federal law, Helia told her she’d have to quit her job and re-apply when she was able to work again.
Retaliation — Upon learning that her position would not be held for her, the nurse stated that she believed Helia’s refusal of her request was motivated by retaliation for her claims of sexual harassment. Like the sexual harassment itself, retaliation for asserting one’s legal rights is prohibited by federal and state law.
When efforts by the EEOC to reach an equitable settlement with Helia failed, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Whether you’ve suffered through various types of mistreatment at a toxic workplace, or you’ve been victimized for the first time, you should not hesitate to stand up for your rights. Consulting an experienced lawyer gives you the chance to achieve a measure of justice and discourage future incidents of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Kardell Law Group is an accomplished law firm dedicated to helping clients secure the remedies they’re entitled to when their employers break the law.
