A sales associate with Down Syndrome won a federal case against Walmart in Wisconsin. Marlo Spaeth was granted almost $125 million in punitive damages by a federal jury, claiming that modifications in her schedule worsened attendance issues, leading to her dismissal from the firm.
According to a statement released by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on July 16, the jury also awarded the woman $150,000 in compensatory damages.
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The jury found that the business failed to accommodate Spaeth’s request and terminated her as a result, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Charlotte Burrows, the EEOC’s chair, said in a statement that the jury decision sends a clear message to businesses that disabilities discrimination is not acceptable in the United States.
Meanwhile, a Walmart spokesperson Randy Hargrove adds that the damage will be limited to the maximum permitted by federal law, $300,000, stating that the business does not accept discrimination and employs thousands of individuals with disabilities on a regular basis.
“We often adjust associate schedules to meet our customers’ expectations and while Ms. Spaeth’s schedule was adjusted, it remained within the times she indicated she was available,” Hargrove said.
“We’re sensitive to this situation and believe we could have resolved this issue with Ms. Spaeth, however the EEOC’s demands were unreasonable.”
According to the complaint, the woman’s health requires to follow a strict schedule of daily activities.
Spaeth had asked Walmart to reinstate her previous work schedule of noon to 4 p.m. because her illness would worsen if she did not eat dinner at the same time every night.
Rather than reinstate her to her previous schedule, the complaint said, the business dismissed her.
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Photo by David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
