And, with rare exceptions, it is the law.”

“Allowing service animals into the workplace enables qualified workers to provide for themselves and their families and to productively contribute to their communities and the economy. Baran, regional attorney for the EEOC’s St. “Service animals provide critical assistance to individuals with a range of physical and mental disabilities,” said Andrea G. The decree also requires Hobby Lobby to notify employees of their right to reasonable accommodation under the ADA and periodically report to the EEOC. Hobby Lobby must amend its policies to provide that service animals can be considered reasonable accommodations. The three-year consent decree requires Hobby Lobby to pay $50,000 in monetary damages to the former clerk and to adopt and maintain policies, enact procedures, and provide employee training to ensure future compliance with the ADA. District Court for the District of Kansas, after first attempting to reach a settlement via its conciliation process. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., Civil Action No. Such alleged conduct violates the ADA, which prohibits discrimination based on disability. Hobby Lobby ultimately fired the clerk when she advised the company she could not work without her service dog. The company’s district manager and human resources decided, without any supporting evidence, the dog would present a safety issue, even though customers were permitted to bring service and pet dogs to the store. The part-time clerk performed cashier duties and assisted in the seasonal, home accents, and floral departments, including stocking shelves and unloading and stocking merchandise on “truck day.” When the clerk sought permission to bring her service dog to the store, the manager asked her to provide medical documentation to support her request, which she did, and she also provided information at the request of corporate human resources. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.Īccording to the EEOC’s lawsuit, Hobby Lobby violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when it failed to allow a part-time clerk at its Olathe, Kansas store to use her service dog on the job as a reasonable accommodation for her disabilities, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). LOUIS – Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., a national arts and crafts retailer, will pay $50,000 to resolve a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S.

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