Lion Elastomers settles disability’ class action

Houston, Texas – Lion Elastomers LLC has agreed to pay $175,000 and provide “other relief” in a disability discrimination class action against the US rubber manufacturer.

A 2021 lawsuit filed by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleged that the company had denied employment to people it “unlawfully regarded as disabled.”

In a 17 July statement, EEOC said complainants were required to undergo pre-employment medical and physical examinations after being offered packing operator/materials handler positions.

EEOC charged that Lion Elastomers then “unlawfully rescinded” job offers based on a “perception that the class members had back impairments and were unable to lift heavy objects.”

Additionally, the legal action alleged that Lion Elastomers had violated federal regulations by “failing to maintain personnel records related to its hiring and termination decisions.”

In addition to the monetary relief, the 30-month consent decree settling the case requires Lion Elastomers to “revise its anti-discrimination policies and distribute them to its employees.”

The decree also requires Lion to post a discrimination notice at its Port Neches facility, comply with the record-keeping and reporting requirements and submit periodic compliance reports to the EEOC.

ERJ is requesting comment from Lion Elastomers on this development.