United Insurance Company of America Pays $37,500 To Settle EEOC Lawsuit
United Insurance Company of America pays $37,500 to settle an Americans With Disability Act ("ADA") lawsuit. The ADA lawsuit was filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") after first trying to settle with the company. According to published accounts Craig Burns was a recovering drug addict who was enrolled in a methadone treatment program for many years. In January 2010, United Insurance offered Burns a position as an insurance agent conditioned upon Burns’ passing a drug test.
The problem was Burns’ drug test showed the presence of methadone in his system. Because o this Burns submitted a letter to United Insurance from his treatment provider explaining that he was participating in supervised methadone treatment program and taking legally prescribed medication as part of the treatment. Upon receiving this information, United Insurance notified Burns that he was not eligible for hire and withdrew its offer of employment. This act is illegal and the EEOC held the company to the law.
“The ADA requires employers to make an individualized assessment of whether an individual can do the job rather than relying on fears or stereotypes,” said EEOC attorney Lynette A. Barnes.
