When a person in Chaska, or elsewhere, develops a debilitating medical condition, it can be difficult for them to continue to work. Under normal circumstances poor attendance may be grounds for an employer to fire a worker, but when that worker has a medical condition, it could be considered a disability, which would protect them from being terminated.
That is not what happened, however, in the case of a former employee with the Hillsboro Police Department in Oregon. According to reports, a man, who was a program specialist for the department, claimed that he was the victim of disability discrimination and wrongful termination. The man reportedly alleged that after he underwent surgery for a brain tumor, the department would not let him return to his position. This, he suggested, was a violation of both state and federal employment law. The department purportedly contends that the man was put on unpaid leave for a year, not fired. It was not reported whether or not the man would have been permitted to go back to work after his health stabilized.
According to reports, the man recently filed a lawsuit against the department. He had previously filed a complaint about the alleged violations with the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), but the investigation was purportedly dropped due to lack of evidence to support his claim.
If you feel you have been wrongly dismissed from your employment, you may consider speaking with an experienced attorney to discuss your case. A lawyer can offer advise as to the best course of action for your situation and will also be able to answer any questions that you might have.
Source: The Oregonian, “Hillsboro denies employee claims of disability discrimination, wrongful termination in 2012 BOLI response,” Katherine Driessen, Nov. 1, 2013