EEOC Sues Sarafina Network LLC for Disability Discrimination and Retaliation

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Sarafina Network, LLC, the owner and operator of several gas station convenience stores in Alabama, violated federal law when it subjected an employee at its Double Springs, Alabama location to a hostile work environment based on his disabilities and retaliated against him for complaining of the unlawful harassment, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed today.

According to the lawsuit, employees and store managers used disability-focused epithets and regularly mocked a cashier based on his disabilities. After the employee complained about the harassment on several occasions, store managers removed him from the work schedule, required the employee to provide medical clearance before returning to work, and then refused to accept the document when provided. Management ultimately fired the employee due to his disabilities and complaints of unlawful harassment.

Such alleged conduct violated Title I of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination and retaliation against individuals with disabilities.  The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. Sarafina Network, LLC, Case No. 6:24-cv-01312-LSC) in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its administrative conciliation process.

“Name calling is a form of disability discrimination, which is illegal and can constitute harassment,”  said EEOC Regional Attorney Marsha Rucker. “Employers who allow a workplace atmosphere where employees are subject to derogatory nicknames, teasing and name calling leave themselves open to having to defend against valid claims of disability discrimination.”

EEOC Birmingham District Director Bradley Anderson said, “Under the ADA, employers have a duty to prevent employees with disabilities from being harassed by their co-workers and managers. This case serves as a reminder that the EEOC will investigate and respond to credible allegations of disability-based harassment.”

For more information on disability discrimination, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/disability-discrimination. For more information on retaliation, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/retaliation.

The EEOC’s Birmingham District Office has jurisdiction over Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and Mississippi, (except 17 northern counties).

The EEOC prevents and remedies unlawful employment discrimination and advances equal opportunity for all. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.