There’s been a lot of discussion recently over whether obesity should qualify as a disability under ADA. Here’s a pretty strong signal: The EEOC has filed suit against a Texas firm that fired a worker who weighed 680 pounds.
Ronald Kratz worked as a material handler for BAE Systems, a military vehicle manufacturer in Sealy, TX.
According to the EEOC, BAE fired Kratz because of his disability: morbid obesity. At the time he was fired, Kratz was able to perform the essential functions of his job, the agency said.
The suit claims BAE replaced Kratz with someone who was not morbidly obese.
According to a recent Houston Chronicle story, Kratz said he weighed 450 pounds when BAE hired him, gained more than 200 pounds while working there and is now down to less than 300 pounds, thanks to surgery and a diet and exercise program.
Kratz is quoted as saying his obesity never kept him from doing his job or receiving high performance ratings during his 16-year career.
But two years ago, he was called into the company’s HR office and told he was being terminated because company officials thought he weighed too much.
He filed a disability discrimination claim with the EEOC, which filed a lawsuit on his behalf in federal district court in Houston.
We’ll keep you posted.
