McCormick & Schmick settles lawsuit

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, Inc., has settle a discrimination lawsuit. 

 

The restaurant was ordered to pay $47,814 and provide other relief to settle the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). 

 

According to the suit, Vernon Davis, who has been deaf since childhood and uses American Sign Language and reads lips to communicate, satisfactory performed his duties as a prep cook in the National Harbor Restaurant location. 

 

Prior to being hired by McCormick & Schmick's, Davis had obtained culinary training and worked in several other restaurants. The EEOC said that at McCormick & Schmick's, Davis was harassed by a former management official because of his disability, through mocker, and threatening physical conduct. 

 

The EEOC went on to say that Davis was removed from his prep cook position and transferred to a dishwasher position because of his disability. 

 

After Davis and others complained about him being subjected to discrimination, he was demoted to a janitorial-type position and his hours were cut before he was fired. 

 

In addition to the $47,814 in monetary relief to Davis, the two-year consent decree resolving the lawsuit enjoins McCormick & Schmick's from violating the American's with Disabilities Act of 1990, including with regard to harassment and retaliation. The restaurant must also provide training to supervision and management on anti-discrimination, anti-harassment and anti-retaliation policies.