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Agawam man will receive more than $800,000 from his former employer after Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination rules in his favor
By Pamela Metaxas, The Republican
March 29, 2010, 10:23AM
BOSTON – An Agawam man will receive more than $800,000 from his former employer, United Parcel Service, after the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination determined the firm engaged in discrimination based on his disability.
Barbara Green, press liaison, of the MCAD, characterized the award as one of the largest the MCAD has ever awarded.
“It’s huge,” she said.
As compensation for the employer’s discrimination, the hearing officer awarded back pay in the amount of $143,970, front pay in the amount of $603,520 and damages for emotional distress in the amount of $125,000.
Green said the employee, a 21-year veteran of UPS, was diagnosed with bipolar depression and anxiety disorder in 2005.
She identified him as William Anderson of Agawam.
After being granted medical leaves and receiving treatment for his disorder, Anderson requested that he be allowed to relinquish his night-time managerial position and be reassigned to a less stressful supervisory position on the day shift.
The employee’s request was supported by medical evidence, his doctor’s recommendation that he be allowed to work as a supervisor during the day, and by evidence that the company frequently reassigns employees from one position to another.
The MCAD hearing officer concluded that the employee was constructively discharged as a result of the company’s failure to participate in a reasonable dialogue with him regarding his job-related limitations and its refusal to grant him a reasonable accommodation.
By Pamela Metaxas, The Republican
March 29, 2010, 10:23AM
BOSTON – An Agawam man will receive more than $800,000 from his former employer, United Parcel Service, after the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination determined the firm engaged in discrimination based on his disability.
Barbara Green, press liaison, of the MCAD, characterized the award as one of the largest the MCAD has ever awarded.
“It’s huge,” she said.
As compensation for the employer’s discrimination, the hearing officer awarded back pay in the amount of $143,970, front pay in the amount of $603,520 and damages for emotional distress in the amount of $125,000.
Green said the employee, a 21-year veteran of UPS, was diagnosed with bipolar depression and anxiety disorder in 2005.
She identified him as William Anderson of Agawam.
After being granted medical leaves and receiving treatment for his disorder, Anderson requested that he be allowed to relinquish his night-time managerial position and be reassigned to a less stressful supervisory position on the day shift.
The employee’s request was supported by medical evidence, his doctor’s recommendation that he be allowed to work as a supervisor during the day, and by evidence that the company frequently reassigns employees from one position to another.
The MCAD hearing officer concluded that the employee was constructively discharged as a result of the company’s failure to participate in a reasonable dialogue with him regarding his job-related limitations and its refusal to grant him a reasonable accommodation.