Allegiant Worker’s Bias Case Focuses on Reaction to Cleanser

A jury must decide if Allegiant Air LLC failed to accommodate an airport transpiration supervisor whose hands broke out in blisters because of a cleaning agent the airline used on its planes, the Eastern District of California ruled.

The airline says it engaged Michelle Budwig in the interactive accommodation process required by California anti-discrimination law and accommodated her by placing her on leave while the process played out.

Unpaid leave can be a reasonable accommodation under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and Budwig did ultimately return to work as a flight attendant, using gloves when she was around the ...