FedEx sued for discrimination against disabled drivers over leave policy

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has initiated a lawsuit against FedEx Corporation, alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) due to discriminatory practices against disabled ramp transport drivers. The lawsuit claims that since November 2019, FedEx enforced a '100%-healed' policy, which required drivers to be completely free of medical restrictions to return to work. This policy led to many drivers being placed on unpaid leave or terminated instead of receiving reasonable accommodations. The EEOC's complaint highlights the case of a driver from Minneapolis who was unable to return to work without restrictions due to injuries. After being assigned to light-duty work for 90 days, she was ultimately terminated when she could not meet the '100%-healed' requirement. The EEOC argues that FedEx failed to consider alternative accommodations, such as assistance from colleagues or the use of motorized equipment, which could have allowed the driver to continue working. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, seeks both monetary compensation and injunctive relief to prevent future discriminatory practices by FedEx. The EEOC emphasizes that such policies can severely impact the livelihoods of workers with disabilities, as they do not take into account individual circumstances and needs. The EEOC's regional attorney has praised the courage of the initial complainant for bringing attention to these issues, which has helped identify other affected individuals. This case underscores the importance of reasonable accommodations in the workplace for employees with disabilities, as mandated by federal law.