I do not think "associational discrimination" means what you think it means.
Amber Bridges, a former employee of the Magistrate's Court in the City of Indianapolis, claims she was discharged because of her association with a co-worker who was regarded as having a disability within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(I'm not going to link to the lawsuit because it gratuitously identifies the co-worker by name.)
An "associational discrimination" claim does exist under the ADA, of course. The classic scenario (included in guidance issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) is an employer who terminates an employee whose family member has a disability, out of fear that the family member's condition will cause the employer's insurance premiums to go up. Another example would be an employer who terminates an employee because he or she is the partner of someone with AIDS or HIV.
But Ms. Bridges doesn't allege anything like that. Her "association" consists of being the alleged harasser of the co-worker with the disability.
Chutzpah is "that quality enshrined in a man who, having killed his mother and father, throws himself on the mercy of the court because he is an orphan." -- Leo RostenAccording to the lawsuit, the co-worker had an "obnoxious body odor" that offended Ms. Bridges and caused other employees to complain. Ms. Bridges told her supervisor, and then went out and purchased air fresheners for everybody to use. Other employees later brought in more air fresheners.
One day, Ms. Bridges was informed that the co-worker had complained about the omnipresent air fresheners and said that Ms. Bridges was creating a hostile work environment. Moreover, other employees had allegedly complained that Ms. Bridges "instigat[ed]" and "perpetuat[ed]" gossip about the co-worker. Ms. Bridges' employment was terminated that day.
If the "associational" provision of the ADA protects individuals who harass or discriminate against persons with disabilities, I'll eat my hat.
Time for a motion to dismiss and a judicial smackdown. Judge William C. Griesbach, don't fail us!
Of Counsel & Chief Legal EditorRobin also conducts internal investigations and delivers training for HR professionals, managers, and employees on topics such as harassment prevention, disability accommodation, and leave management.
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