Facts

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit against against Target Corporation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, seeking lost wages, front pay, compensatory and punitive damages and injunctive relief.

PLAINTIFF CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that when Target was hiring for the holiday season, a deaf applicant submitted his resume online and defendant called him twice to schedule an interview. However, plaintiff contended that the hiring staff hung up without leaving a message, when they realized that the applicant was deaf because he used a Video Relay Service. Defendant never scheduled applicant for an interview and rejected him for hire.

DEFENDANT CONTENTIONS: Defendant denied the allegations.

Result

The parties entered a consent decree and defendant agreed to pay $45,000 in lost wages and compensatory damages to the applicant. Defendant also agreed to implement its policies and procedures to provide reasonable accommodations.