In a recent development, UPS has agreed to pay $150,000 to settle a federal disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a newly hired UPS employee who was fired after just two shifts at a warehouse in Florida due to his diabetes.

According to the complaint filed by the EEOC, the employee had been working as a package handler without any issues until a human resources supervisor deemed him a "liability to the company" because of his disability. The supervisor denied the employee's request for occasional short breaks to check his blood sugar and have a snack or drink if needed.

Initially, the HR representative granted the employee's request, but later rescinded the accommodation, ultimately terminating his employment in September 2019 through a voicemail message. The employee reportedly suffers from brittle diabetes, which is categorized as "hard-to-control" and unpredictable by the National Organization for Rare Disorders due to frequent fluctuations in blood glucose levels.

On March 15, the court ruled that UPS had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by not accommodating the employee and by firing him. As a result, UPS has agreed to settle the lawsuit and pay $150,000 in compensation.

As part of the settlement, UPS will offer to reinstate the employee. Additionally, the company will be required to adhere to a three-year consent decree, which includes maintaining an employee hotline, providing live training to human resources personnel, supervisors, managers, and directors, conducting three annual trainings for bargaining-unit employees, and posting a notice about the lawsuit. UPS will also be obligated to notify the EEOC of any disability discrimination complaints.

The EEOC commended UPS for collaborating to resolve the issues in the lawsuit. "Many employees require accommodations that will allow them to work," said EEOC Miami District Director Evangeline Hawthorne. "The commitment by UPS to address this problem by taking strong, affirmative measures will help ensure equal opportunity for employees."

McClatchy News reached out to UPS and the company's attorneys for comment but did not receive an immediate response.