Michigan Manufacturer Sued for Unlawful Termination of Employee Due to Disability

Navitas Systems, LLC., an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based company specializing in comprehensive energy storage solutions and battery manufacturing, violated federal law by using an unlawful company policy to deny a reasonable accommodation to an employee with a disability, and then terminated the employee, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit.

According to the suit, Navitas maintained a policy which required an employee returning from any type of medical leave to have a “100% release for work.” The former employee, 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. He requested permission to return to work despite Navitas’s policy, as he could perform all the essential functions of his position using his right arm. Navitas applied its policy, refused to allow him to work, and then fired him.

Such alleged conduct violated the American Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which prohibits discrimination based on disability. The EEOC filed suit (Case No. 2:24-cv-12478-BRM-APP) in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan) 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.

Source: EEOC