Hewitt v. Union Oil Co. of California, Inc.

Sleep Disorder Discrimination Case Sent Back for Trial

This case involved an employee who sued Union Oil Company of California for disability discrimination and failure to provide reasonable accommodations. The worker claimed the company discriminated against them because of sleep disorders, violating Alaska's anti-discrimination laws.

The lower court had initially dismissed the case without a trial, ruling in favor of the employer. However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed and reversed this decision. The appeals court found there were important factual questions that still needed to be resolved, particularly whether the employee's sleep disorders qualified as a disability under Alaska law. The key issue was whether these sleep problems significantly limited major life activities enough to be considered a legal disability.

The court sent the case back to the lower court for a full trial to determine these facts.

What this means for workers: This ruling shows that sleep disorders can potentially qualify as disabilities deserving workplace protection. Workers with sleep conditions shouldn't assume they lack legal protections. If you believe you've faced discrimination due to sleep disorders or other health conditions, the specific facts of your situation matter greatly. Courts will examine whether your condition substantially affects major life activities when determining if discrimination laws apply.