By Linda C. Schoonmaker and Brian A. Wadsworth
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Sixth Circuit recently sided with employer Fresh Products, LLC and its HR Manager, Dawn Shaferly, in an age, race, and disability discrimination lawsuit. In doing so, the Court helpfully clarified when an employer can contractually shorten the limitations periods with respect to certain
Seyfarth Synopsis: Ninth Circuit concludes in trilogy of disability access cases that complaints must specifically allege unlawful conditions.
Over the years, ADA Title III complaints filed by the plaintiff’s bar have gotten progressively more vague with respect to the barriers alleged. This is no coincidence: Some have stated outright that they keep
By KarlaGrossenbacher, Jennifer A.Kraft, and Benjamin J.Conley
Seyfarth Synopsis: As COVID-19 vaccines become more readily available in coming months, employers are exploring ways to maximize vaccination rates within their workforce. Some employers are considering making vaccination mandatory. Be sure to read our alert for more relating to legal considerations involved with a
By John P. Phillips and Linda Schoonmaker
Seyfarth Synopsis: Often an employer’s valid safety requirements for a position can be at odds with a disabled employee’s request for a reasonable accommodation. A recent decision from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirms employers’ right to require compliance with valid safety requirements. And it serves
Seyfarth Synopsis: Emotional support animals will no longer be categorized as “service animals” under the Air Carrier Access Act under new Department of Transportation regulations.
Questionable verifications for certain assistance animals have frustrated the airline industry for years. From peacocks to pigs, all sorts of furry and feathered companions
By Karla Grossenbacher and Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.
Seyfarth Synopsis: On December 16, 2020, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued guidance for employers on the interplay of workplace bias laws and COVID-19 vaccinations. As all employers are facing these issues in the coming weeks with the roll-out of vaccinations, the EEOC’s guidance should be
By Minh N. Vu and Kristina M. Launey
Seyfarth Synopsis: A Biden Administration DOJ will likely bring higher engagement and more aggressive enforcement on ADA Title III issues.
While the current administration may still be unwilling to concede the election, it appears there will indeed be a new administration in charge at the Department
By Honore N. Hishamunda and Erin Dougherty Foley
Seyfarth Synopsis: Employees can sometimes sour on jobs they transfer to and, this in turn, can create practical and legal risk for employers, particularly where an employee changed jobs in connection with a disability accommodation. A recent decision from the United States Court of Appeals for
By Minh Vu and Julia Sarnoff
Seyfarth Synopsis: Congressmen Budd and Correa try to address website and mobile app accessibility in a new bill called the “Online Accessibility Act.”
On October 2, 2020, Representatives Lou Correa (D-CA) and Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced a bill called the “Online Accessibility Act” (H.R. 8478) (the “OAA”) which
By Loren Gesinsky and Samuel I. Rubinstein
Seyfarth Synopsis: With telework seeming like the new normal for many, employers and employees have been wondering whether pandemic telework will be seen as creating a presumptive right to post-pandemic telework as a reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities. On September 8, 2020, the EEOC answered “no” to