As the world hunkers down and works from home during this COVID-19 crisis, a WFH accommodation decision from the Sixth Circuit feels timely. Though the decision predates social distancing and office closures, its relevance to the employer-employee relationship may outlast the coronavirus. In Tchankpa v. Ascena Retail Group, Inc., the Sixth Circuit affirmed the principle … Continue Reading
Just over a year ago, we examined the propensity of the Sixth Circuit to uphold district courts’ decisions to grant summary judgment for employers in cases tagged as “Labor & Employment” cases. As can be seen in our 2014 review, the Sixth Circuit upheld 60% of summary judgment decisions in favor of the employer. We … Continue Reading
Anthony Rorrer, a firefighter for the City of Stow, Ohio, was allegedly terminated because of a non-work-related accident that left Rorrer totally blind in his right eye and therefore with the disability of monocular vision. Rorrer brought suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio under the Americans with Disabilities Act … Continue Reading
In Stansberry v. Air Wisconsin Airlines Co., the Sixth Circuit explains the standard for association discrimination claims under Section 12112(b)(4) of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Such claims are comparatively rare – this is the first published decision in the circuit since that section was passed in 1990. The opinion, written by Judge Martin, explains that … Continue Reading
In what could be the end of the Sixth Circuit’s 0-15 “losing streak” before the United States Supreme Court (reported previously here), the Supreme Court recently granted certiorari in the case of EEOC, et al, v. Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School.pdf to review the Sixth Circuit’s determination that the termination of a parochial school teacher was subject … Continue Reading
In Lee v. City of Columbus, the Sixth Circuit reversed a grant of summary judgment to a class of employees at the Columbus police department. The police employees had challenged the city’s policy requiring employees returning from more than three days of sick leave, injury leave, or light duty to give their immediate supervisor a … Continue Reading