A Starbucks store in Russellville, Ark., will
pay $80,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit brought by
the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The EEOC’s suit, (Civil Action No. 4:09-CV-0715, filed in U.S.
District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, at Little Rock),
charged that Starbucks failed to hire Chuck Hannay because of his
multiple sclerosis. According to the EEOC, Hannay applied for one of
six open barista positions but was never contacted for an interview.
EEOC alleged that individuals with less experience and availability
were hired instead of Hannay.
Such conduct violates the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA),
which prohibits employment discrimination based on a person’s
disability.
In addition to the monetary relief, the consent decree settling the
suit, approved by U.S. District Judge Brian Miller, enjoins Starbucks
from discriminating on the bases of disability and retaliation.
Further, the decree requires the company to provide training to its
managers and assistant managers on disability discrimination, to
submit two reports to the EEOC on the training and any such
complaints, and to post a notice reinforcing the company’s policies on
the ADA. Starbucks will also make a good-faith effort to hire
individuals with disabilities at its Russellville location by
notifying Arkansas Rehabilitation Services of all job openings.