Francisca Lee worked as a nurse at Dialysis Clinic, Inc. for fourteen years. According to a recent suit filed by the EEOC, after Lee was diagnosed with cancer, she took medical leave to undergo a mastectomy and chemotherapy.
The dialysis clinic terminated Lee’s employment after four months, stating she had exceeded the time limit as stated in the company’s medical leave policy.
According to this article, Lee was told that if she wished to work at the clinic again, she would need to reapply for an open position. After doing so, Lee’s application was rejected and according to the suit, Dialysis Clinic, Inc. instead hired a newly licensed nurse.
A spokeswoman for Dialysis Clinic, Inc. denies the allegations made in the complaint, stating, “DCI is proud of its record of employing and making accommodations for persons with disabilities, both in general and in this instance in particular.”
Regional EEOC Attorney William R. Tamayo, “I would urge employers to be flexible concerning leave extensions if it causes no undue hardship. Ms. Lee has over 30 years’ experience in dialysis treatment and really wanted to work.”
Lee is currently employed as a full time nurse for another dialysis company.
If you or someone you know thinks they have been discriminated against due to a disability, the team at Radford & Keebaugh can help. Contact us by phone at (678) 369-3609 or use our contact form.