Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Lee's Log Cabin, Inc.

**What Happened** The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued Lee's Log Cabin restaurant on behalf of an employee named Stewart. Stewart was HIV-positive and had a medical restriction limiting her to lifting only 10 pounds. The restaurant's waitstaff positions required lifting 25-30 pounds. The EEOC claimed the restaurant discriminated against Stewart because of her HIV status and failed to provide reasonable accommodations for her disability. **What the Court Decided** The court ruled in favor of Lee's Log Cabin. The judges found that the EEOC failed to prove two key points: first, that Stewart's HIV status substantially limited her major life activities (a requirement to be considered disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act), and second, that the restaurant could reasonably accommodate her 10-pound lifting restriction when the job required lifting much heavier items. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case shows that workers seeking disability accommodations must demonstrate that their condition significantly impacts major life activities and that requested accommodations are reasonable given job requirements. Workers should document how their conditions affect daily activities and work with employers to identify practical accommodations that don't fundamentally change essential job functions.