EEOC sues battery manufacturer for discrimination

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Friday sued Navitas Systems LLC, alleging the battery manufacturer used an unlawful company policy to deny a reasonable accommodation to an employee with a disability and instead terminated the worker.

The EEOC said in a statement that Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Navitas maintained a policy that required an employee returning from any type of medical leave to have a “100% release for work.”

The former worker, who was employed as a divisional controller, suffered a severe rotator cuff injury and fractured wrist in April 2020. His doctor restricted him from using his left arm but cleared him to return to work with restrictions.

The employee requested permission to return to work despite Navitas’ policy, as he could perform the essential functions of his position using his right arm. Applying its policy, the company refused to allow him to work and then fired him, according to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

The EEOC contends Navitas’ conduct violated the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibits discrimination based on disability. It said it filed the suit after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

The EEOC is seeking back pay, compensatory damages and punitive damages on behalf of the former employee, as well as injunctive relief to prevent future discrimination.

Navitas could not be reached for comment.