Sonic Sued For Firing Epileptic Employee

Mississippi Lucedale  The Sonic in Lucedale paid $22000 to settle a lawsuit after firing an epileptic employee saying it was not safe for her to work around knives ovens and other equipment.
by Jamie Burch
Published: Wed, August 26, 2009 - 6:02 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, August 26, 2009 - 6:17 pm CST
The Sonic Drive-In in Lucedale, Mississippi will pay $22,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit.

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Sonic fired Alecia Lawrence after learning she's epileptic. A manager told Lawrence it was no longer safe for her to work around knives, ovens and other equipment due to her medical condition.

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employers from making employment decisions that are based on misconceptions, assumptions or beliefs about an individual’s medical condition.

Ted Riley Corporation, which owns the Sonic franchise in Lucdale, must also adopt, implement, post and disseminate anti-discrimination policies and procedures; provide anti-discrimination training to managers; promptly and thoroughly investigate and address complaints of disability discrimination; and take steps to ensure that there will be no retaliation against employees who complain about conduct believed to be discriminatory.

"Ms. Lawrence was performing her job successfully and should not have been fired,” said C. Emanuel Smith, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Birmingham District Office.
Email a Friend Email to a Friend   
Printer Friendly Printer Friendly
Translate: » Spanish | French | German | Italian | Japanese | Chinese | Russian | Hindi

Yeah, because PBR is real classy, too.

smile

Full of class Kx

my friend has seizures & tried to get on disability. she can’t because they told her she wasn’t physically disabled. they asked her why would she want to be on disability when she can do any job she wants to. but according to most of y’all she shouldn’t.

Sure! She could deliver the food on ROLLER SKATES!

Sorry for chiming in a bit late, but couldn’t they have just made this simple and alter her job description and responsibilities.  Never worked at sonic but I’m willing to bet there is a position that doesn’t involve knives or grease.

I have a problem here.  Let’s just say that if you have any kind of problem, lord knows that no one is perfect, then you should not get an education, because it be harmful, because of your health or decease.  Come on! So what, are people with problems suppose to give up on life, and live off the government, and cause everyone’s taxes to be raises??? Get real people!  They have a right to live just as you do with your problems.  Do you drink? Do you smoke? Do you do drugs? If so then you are a liability driving, working, or obtaining a eduction! If one leg is smaller than then the other one, oh my goodness, they better not working or driving, because they are a liability and greater risk of having a car accident.  You people don’t make any sense saying they don’t need to work because of their disability.  What if she had a child to take care, bills that needed to be paid, what if it was you being faced with this condition and no would hire you because of your disability. What would you do?  everyone deserves to live and have a life, regardless of their medical condition as long as it is under control!  That is why there is medications, rehab facilities, support groups, training programs to teach disabled people how to control and care for their conditions so they can live a healthy life.

I think valid points were made by kx. There are reasons you can’t drive if you have epilepsy-to protect yourself and others. Shouldn’t the same care and concern be applied to the work force too? My goodness, what if she had a seizure and fell face first in the fry grease? Would you want a surgeon with epilepsy operating on you? Would you want them flying the plane you were in? Yes, get a job-but do so honestly, and know your limitations and the risk that you are putting on yourself and others.

Thank you Cici.

Oddly enough I agree with Kx. (probably the only time I will ever say that) I have seen people who have epilepsy. It is a very dangerous situation if they are around knives or grills or anything at a fast food restaurant. That is just common sense. Sure it sucks. There is also hundreds of jobs people with epilepsy can get. If not they do qualify for disability checks. Yes we all know it is not their fault and they can not control it. That is the problem, it can not be controlled. Not only is it a danger for themselves, but it is also a danger to anyone else around them in that kind of working environment.

KxVicious do have any friends? I would think not talking down to people as you do.

Recently Commented On

Baldwin School Closing A Possibility?

3 Total Comments
Baldwin School Closing A Possibility? Baldwin County Board of Education says more layoffs, school… more »

Deadly Ship Explosion

1 Total Comments
Deadly Ship Explosion One person is dead, another believed to be dead following… more »

Gulf Coast Classic Attendance:…

10 Total Comments
Gulf Coast Classic Attendance: 8,495 The city of Mobile put up more than $70,000 for the 2009… more »

Katrina Ruling Could Bring New…

6 Total Comments
Katrina Ruling Could Bring New Deluge Of Lawsuits Now that a federal judge has blamed "monumental negligence"… more »

Fairhope Man Pleads Guilty To…

1 Total Comments
Fairhope Man Pleads Guilty To Hitting Cyclists Bradford Maples of Fairhope entered a plea Friday morning… more »