Facts

Pamila Bourasa applied for a cook position for Pioneer Place Assisted Living. She had more than 40 years of experience in the restaurant industry and experience with an assisted living facility. She had also completed a positive interview and had discussed a start date when she was informed that she needed to pass a drug test before starting work. She mentioned that she had epilepsy and was taking prescription medication that would show up on the drug test. She thought she had secured a job offer and quit her prior job, but Pioneer rejected her because of the drug result.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a complaint against Pioneer alleging disability discrimination. The American With Disabilities Act prohibited employers from using selection standards or criteria that screen out people with disabilities.

Result

Pioneer agreed to pay Bourasa $80,000.