Hobby Lobby is now facing a lawsuit against them after a former employee alleges she lost her job as a direct result of their refusal to allow her to use her service dog during her shift. job.
After being told that her service dog was no longer welcome at work, she stopped showing up. Because of that, she was fired. But now, legal action has been taken against them on her behalf.
While she was working at the Hobby Lobby in Olathe, Kansas, An staff was told her service dog was no longer allowed to accompany her. The manager insisted that the dog was a danger and that she was no longer allowed to bring the dog to work.
But because she’s someone who relies on her service dog’s help to help her cope with many conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), she’s uncomfortable. when working without your pet dog.
The lawsuit was filed by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and claims that by failing to accommodate the employee’s needs and allowing her to bring her service dog to work, Hobby Lobby violated the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
This law, enacted in 1990 to provide equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities, also provides explicit protections for service animals.
David Davis, acting regional director of the EEOC in St.
The ADA requires U.S. employers to provide accommodations for workers with disabilities. So the lawsuit claims that she was legally terminated for using a service animal. She only stopped showing up for work since her service dog, which helps her cope with her conditions, is no longer allowed on the premises.
Service dogs are protected under this law unless they are out of control and pose a safety risk to others. So for the judge to rule in Hobby Lobby’s favor, they’ll have to prove that her service dog posed such a threat.
“Due to the identified safety hazards and the overall nature of the business, [the employee] Service animals may not be used while cashing or loading and unloading goods and in storage,” a letter to the employee stated.
Hobby Lobby’s human resources specialist outlined many risks, including the possibility of damaged merchandise, potential tripping of guests as they navigate the store, and/or triggering an allergic reaction.
However, the EEOC backed the employee, pointing to the fact that Hobby Lobby allows customers to bring their own service animals into their store. Technically, wouldn’t they pose the same threat?
The primary goals of the lawsuit are for Hobby Lobby to change their policy and allow their employees to use their service dogs while on the job, while also calling for the company to compensate employees for damages and bring her back as treasurer.
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