June 09, 2022
CampusPoint Corp., a Washington State-based staffing agency, and Viewpoint Inc., a construction software developer, will pay $225,000 and provide significant positive assistance to settle a lawsuit alleging discrimination based on gender. disability, according to an announcement made Wednesday by the US Equal Employment Opportunity. Commission.
According to the EEOC, CampusPoint, which has offices in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, and Viewpoint rejected a candidate they had shortlisted for an analyst position after requesting an ASL interpreter for a group interview. The companies incorrectly assumed he would also need a full-time interpreter to shadow him if hired, the EEOC said, and instead to review available accommodations or discuss the matter with the candidate, the companies rejected him because of his disability.
Rejecting a qualified candidate because of a disability or for requesting an accommodation during the hiring process or to perform the job violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“This case was a classic example of employers succumbing to stereotypes and fears about how a disability might limit performance rather than focusing on the actual abilities of the candidate,” said Teri Healy, senior attorney for the EEOC.
In addition to providing Plaintiff with $225,000 in monetary relief, the four-year consent decree requires Defendants to implement ADA policies, including fully assessing available housing for the hiring process as well. than in the workplace. Companies will also revise their online application website; provide equal employment opportunity training to all managers and employees, with particular attention to accommodating Deaf and hard of hearing applicants and employees; incorporate provisions into recruiting agency contracts requiring compliance with the ADA and provide regular reporting to the EEOC.
“We are encouraged by the companies’ agreement to take steps to make their workplaces more inclusive and hope this lawsuit reminds all employers of their legal obligations under the ADA,” Healy said.
