Housekeeper Sues Disney Over Discrimination
A former housekeeper at Disney World has filed a lawsuit against Disney World. The cast member claims discrimination and is alleging that he was unjustly fired after he complained about access to bathrooms and medication. This is despite the fact that the employee is diabetic.
Stevel Smith, 52, alleges that his managers at the Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts violated the Americans with Disabilities Act when he was let go. According to a piece in the Orlando Sentinel, the suit was filed on January 11th.
Image Credit: Disney
Smith now works as a rideshare driver part-time and struggles with the loss of his job at Walt Disney World.
In the suit, Smith highlights a number of alleged incidents where he was seeking support for his diabetes but his requests were denied. This included not allowing Smith to keep his medication close and being able to use restrooms other than those designated specifically for employees.
The suit goes on to highlight the impact these management decisions had on Smith who advised that he urinated on himself several times while working because managers told him he could not take his medication or use the hotel restrooms according to the piece in the Sentinel. For those unfamiliar, frequent urination can be a diabetes symptom.
Diabetes does fall under a protected condition and federal law prohibits workplace discrimination against people with disabilities. It is stipulated that employers must provide reasonable accommodations for workers. Smith believes he was fired by the company in retaliation for leveling complaints related to his diabetes. He advises that he has experienced mental and emotional distress and is demanding compensation for damage caused.
Smith’s lawyer told the Sentinel, “We fully intend to prove that Disney subjected Mr. Smith to an abusive environment because of his disabilities and that he was terminated for complaining of same.” Smith was suspended from Disney on February 13, 2020. He was not given a written explanation of his firing.
Jeremy Haicken, president of Unite Here Local 737 which represents housekeepers working at Disney told the Sentinel that he was familiar with Smith’s case. Smith filed a discrimination charge against Disney via the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in December of 2020. As a result of the filing, he was informed in November of 2021 that he could sue Disney.
You can take a look at the public filing for the cast here – Smith_v_Walt_Disney_Parks_and_Resorts__flmdce-22-00068__0001.0
This is a story that we will continue to follow, readers are encouraged to check back with us for further news and updates.
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Source: Orlando Sentinel
