Marion R. Stafne v. Unicare Homes, D/B/A Trevilla of New Brighton, Inc., Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Amicus on Behalf Of

**What Happened** Marion Stafne, an employee at Trevilla nursing home in New Brighton, sued her employer claiming disability discrimination and retaliation. Stafne alleged that the company failed to provide reasonable accommodations for her disability and then retaliated against her when she complained. The case went to trial where a jury heard evidence about whether Stafne could perform the essential parts of her job, even with workplace modifications. **What the Court Decided** The court sided with Trevilla nursing home. The jury found that Stafne could not prove she was able to perform the essential functions of her job, even if the employer had provided reasonable accommodations. The court also rejected her retaliation claim. The appeals court upheld this decision, agreeing that Stafne had not met her burden of proof. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case highlights an important hurdle for workers with disabilities. To win a discrimination lawsuit, employees must demonstrate they can perform the core duties of their job with reasonable workplace changes. Simply having a disability and requesting accommodations isn't enough—workers must show they remain qualified for their position even with their limitations.