By: Elizabeth Lopez

AT&T Services, Inc., doing business as Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, L.P. (AT&T), a major telephone company, violated federal law by refusing to hire an applicant simply because he is an insulin-dependent diabetic, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit.

According to the suit, AT&T violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to hire an applicant as a cable splicer technician only because of his “insulin use” for type 2 diabetes.

The applicant indisputably had the necessary experience and expertise to perform the job and had previously safely performed a similar job for AT&T for many years after he was diagnosed with diabetes, however he was still denied employment. Refusing to hire a qualified individual because of his or her disability, record of disability, or because the employer perceives a person as being disabled, violates the ADA.

After the EEOC’s San Antonio Field office determined that AT&T had violated the law, it filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division. The EEOC seeks back pay, compensatory damages and punitive damages for the victim, as well as injunctive relief.

Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC is an established employment and civil rights law firm representing victims of discrimination throughout Long Island, the entire New York City area and nationwide. We understand the distinction between the words, “inability” and “disability” and have been working to get that message across to employers for more than two decades.

If you believe you are a victim of discrimination call Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free and confidential consultation.