Deaf employee sues UPS

[cheryl]

Deaf employee sues UPS - Philly

As a deaf employee, Michael MacDonald can do his work as a package handler at the United Parcel Service facility at Philadelphia International Airport without assistance.

But when it comes to employee meetings and to understanding certain things - such as safety and emergency procedures, company policies and procedures, and some other workplace communications - he needs an American Sign Language interpreter.

 

[Operational needs]

I have a friend, who is mostly deaf, who is going through the exact same thing at FedEx. They are being just as uncooperative.

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

I feel for both sides here. Everyone needs an opportunity to have a fair shot at employment.

On the other hand do you pay an interpreter Big bucks to relay the information for a $40 a day job?


What's fair?

 

[Operational needs]

I feel for both sides here. Everyone needs an opportunity to have a fair shot at employment.

On the other hand do you pay an interpreter Big bucks to relay the information for a $40 a day job?


What's fair?

They have apps they can use that can interpret voice to a phone or tablet.

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

They have apps they can use that can interpret voice to a phone or tablet.

That sounds fair enough if you want to be an EOE

 

[Operational needs]

That sounds fair enough if you want to be an EOE

Unless you've spent a lot of time around a deaf person, you have no idea how frustrating it is to try to find out what is going on on a daily basis for a deaf person. The things we take for granted, they miss out on.

 

[Operational needs]

That sounds fair enough if you want to be an EOE

Plus, it's not a matter of them WANTING to be an EOE employer. By law, they HAVE to.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

My son is hearing impaired, primarily in the upper ranges. I would not expect his employer to make special accommodations on his behalf.

 

[Operational needs]

My son is hearing impaired, primarily in the upper ranges. I would not expect his employer to make special accommodations on his behalf.

Doesn't matter what you expect. It's the law. They are required to.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

Doesn't matter what you expect. It's the law. They are required to.

I disagree. He knew what he was signing on for.

 

[Operational needs]

I disagree. He knew what he was signing on for.

Doesn't matter. It's still the law.

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

I disagree. He knew what he was signing on for.

I think they should make reasonable accommodations. How ever you want to define that but it is the law.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

It's a warehouse. What did he expect?

 

[Operational needs]

It's a warehouse. What did he expect?

Obviously, reasonable accommodations. Like I said, there are apps that can translate voice to phone or tablet without any undue hardship for either company.

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

It's a warehouse. What did he expect?

Maybe a flashing light instead of a siren?

 

[upschuck]

Maybe a flashing light instead of a siren?

They are suppose to have "buddies" like in those training videos.

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

They are suppose to have "buddies" like in those training videos.

I'm just saying reasonable expense to the employer.

Most of my route is on hills. Yet they put handicapped ramps on all of the sidewalks. My truck barely makes it up some off the hills. No way in Hell is somebody pushing a wheelchair up those hills.

 

[upschuck]

I'm just saying reasonable expense to the employer.

Most of my route is on hills. Yet they put handicapped ramps on all of the sidewalks. My truck barely makes it up some off the hills. No way in Hell is somebody pushing a wheelchair up those hills.

Every once in a while, our HR dept has an interpreter come in for an interview. Don't know what comes of it.

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

Every once in a while, our HR dept has an interpreter come in for an interview. Don't know what comes of it.

Probably just trying to look good.

 

[upschuck]

Probably just trying to look good.

Could be.