Federal Government Suing FedEx Over Minnesota Worker's Firing

Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News) - One of the nation's largest shipping companies is being sued by the federal government on behalf of a Minnesota woman.

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says a lawsuit has been filed against Federal Express for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. According to a news release, FedEx is accused of "failing to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified, disabled ramp transport drivers with medical restrictions, and instead force them to take unpaid leave or fired them."

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The federal agency claims Federal Express has enforced a 100%-healed policy involving ramp transport drivers since late November 2019. The news release says the affected employees drive semi-trucks and operate mechanical equipment used to load and unload pallets or containers that are loaded with freight.

Get our free mobile app

According to a lawsuit, FedEx put a ramp transport driver working out of a facility in Minneapolis on a 90-day temporary light duty assignment because she had sustained injuries limiting her ability to lift. It alleges that after the temporary light duty assignment ended, the worker was placed on unpaid medical leave and eventually terminated her employment because she could not return to work without restrictions, "even though she would have been able to perform her job with accommodations."

(Photo by Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)

The EEOC contends the company's actions violated the American With Disabilities Act, which requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations that allow employees to do their jobs and prohibits employers from having policies that screen out qualified individuals with disabilities. The news release says the agency attempted to reach a settlement through an administrative conciliation process, but is now seeking damages for the Minneapolis worker as well as a court injunction that would prohibit FedEx from continuing to enforce its alleged "100%-healed policy.

The lawsuit was filed in US District Court in Minnesota.

How Many of These Iconic Mall Food Court Restaurants Do You Remember?

From retro favorites to the icons that are still serving customers today, take a walk down memory lane with our roundup of the most iconic mall food court restaurants of the '80s and '90s.

Gallery Credit: Meg Dowdy