EPA Guard With Vision Problem Can Move on Disability Claim

A former security officer who has trouble seeing certain colors can take the staffing agency that fired him to trial for disability discrimination (Vannattan v. VendTech-SGI, LLC, 2017 BL 159782, D. Kan., No. 2:16-cv-02147, 5/12/17).

The employee had been stationed at an Environmental Protection Agency facility in Lenexa, Kan. A case like this can hinge on whether the worker’s disability affects an essential or a nonessential work function. Firing someone who can’t do an essential part of the job isn’t a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

VendTech-SGI LLC fired William Vannattan because his vision deficiency meant ...