UPDATE: EEOC Settles Obesity Discrimination Lawsuit

Some of you may recall the lawsuit filed by the EEOC against BAE Systems, alleging obesity discrimination for terminating a morbidly obese employee without making any effort to reasonably accommodate him. The EEOC alleged that BAE violated the ADA. You can read some background here (it was Case of the Week #60).

Well, the case settled. According to an EEOC Press Release:

The consent decree settling the suit, signed by Judge Gray H. Miller, requires the company to pay $55,000 in monetary relief to Kratz and provide him with six months of outplacement services. Additionally, the decree requires training for the company’s managers and human resources professionals on equal employment opportunity compliance, disability discrimination law and responsibilities regarding reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants. The company must also post an anti-discrimination notice.

The EEOC continues to take the position that "[t]he law protects morbidly obese employees and applicants from being subjected to discrimination because of their obesity."

Image: EEOC logo used in commentary on EEOC. Not official use.