If you suffer from a medical condition that affects your ability to perform certain tasks, you may have some protections available through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC, among other things, files charges against employers who do not comply properly with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Employee discrimination can occur in the most unlikely places. Just recently, a woman faced unfair practices in the workplace when her employer, a senior living community-based in Colorado, did not want to grant her special considerations because she suffers from fibromyalgia.
In fact, according to cases filed by the EEOC, health care providers and businesses associated with health care are often the employers guilty of not supporting their employees properly. While it is unlikely that health care professions actually disproportionately treat their employees poorly, the EEOC does tend to focus on these professions when they pursue unfair treatment allegations.
If you work for an employer who you believe is not fairly accommodating your needs as an employee suffering a medical condition, you should consider consulting with an attorney. It is possible that you have legal grounds to sue for discrimination in the workplace. Discrimination against an employee who is “inconvenient” is, unfortunately all too common, even in fields that one might think should know better.
An experienced attorney can help you look at the full scope of your circumstances and build a strong case to support your claims. If you believe that your employer is not treating your fairly, it is wise to see what the law actually has to say about your situation. With proper legal counsel, you can rest assured that your rights remain protected and you pursue justice.
Source: Above the Law, “Unbelievable – Health Care Providers Sued For Disability Discrimination,” Richard B Cohen, Sep. 14, 2017