EEOC Accuses AutoZone of Disability Discrimination

A federal agency is accusing auto-parts retailer AutoZone Inc. of illegally firing an employee because of her disability.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a federal lawsuit against AutoZone this week.

The EEOC says the company fired a manager in its Cudahy store in 2009. The agency says the woman had just received a doctor’s clearance to return to work with a lifting restriction, following an injury to her shoulder two years earlier.

The EEOC says AutoZone failed to provide reasonable accommodation to her injury and fired her.

A phone listing for AutoZone hung up without taking a message. An email sent to the company was not immediately returned.

The lawsuit seeks back pay and compensatory and punitive damages.