EEOC v. Convergys Customer

EEOC v. Convergys Customer Management Group: Court Rules in Favor of Worker with Disability

This case involved a worker named Demirelli who had a disability and needed workplace accommodations from her employer, Convergys Customer Management Group. The company failed to provide reasonable accommodations that would have allowed Demirelli to perform her job effectively. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued the company on behalf of Demirelli, claiming the employer violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

A jury found that Convergys had indeed failed to accommodate Demirelli's disability as required by law. The company was ordered to pay $114,265.22 in damages. When Convergys appealed the decision to a higher court, the Court of Appeals upheld the jury's verdict and confirmed the damages award.

What this means for workers: This ruling reinforces that employers must make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. If your employer refuses to provide necessary accommodations that would help you do your job, they may be breaking federal law. Workers have the right to request accommodations, and employers cannot simply ignore these requests. The substantial damages awarded show courts take these violations seriously.