Company to pay $55,000 to settle EEOC disability suit

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By Tony Ogden
Dolan Media Newswires

BAE Systems Tactical Vehicle Systems LP will pay $55,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the agency has announced.

The EEOC’s suit alleged that BAE fired Ronald Kratz II because he was morbidly obese and that the company regarded him as disabled. The agency said that at the time of his discharge, Kratz was qualified to perform the essential job functions of his material handler position.

The EEOC also said the company did not engage in any discussion with Kratz to determine whether reasonable accommodations were possible that would have allowed him to continue to perform his duties.

The EEOC filed the suit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas after first attempting to settle the case through its conciliation process.

The consent decree settling the suit, signed by Judge Gray H. Miller, requires the company to pay $55,000 in monetary relief to Kratz and provide him with six months of outplacement services. Additionally, the decree requires training for the company’s managers and human resource professionals on equal employment opportunity compliance, disability discrimination law and responsibilities regarding reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants.

The company must also post an anti-discrimination notice.