7th Circuit Upholds Jury Verdict Against Walmart for Discrimination Against Worker with Down Syndrome

The Seventh Circuit Court of appeals rejected Walmart’s appeal, holding that the “jury heard sufficient evidence to find Walmart violated the Americans with Disabilities Act when it changed its scheduling policy and failed to accommodate an employee with Down syndrome who had difficulty adapting to her new hours, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held Aug. 27. (EEOC v. Wal-Mart Stores East, L.P.)” Read opinion here.

“The employee, a sales associate in Wisconsin for more than 15 years, worked an afternoon shift so she could catch a bus to and from work, according to court documents. After she was given an adjusted, slightly later shift, she repeatedly expressed confusion and asked for her old shift back, the documents said. She also often left early — the same time as before to catch her bus — or missed work altogether. After multiple absences and coaching, Walmart fired her.” — via HRDive

The jury awarded $125 Million in punitive damages, which was reduced to $300,000 by statutory caps.