Federal Agency Charged That Sandwich Shop Denied Job to Hard-of-Hearing Applicant

INDIANAPOLIS – A Bloomington, Ind., fast-food sandwich shop will pay $28,700 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.

The EEOC charged in its suit that Ranrae, Inc., doing business as Subway violated federal law by rejecting a hard-of-hearing applicant because of his hearing and resultant speech impairments.

Such alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The EEOC filed suit (Case No. 1:20-CV-2450-JRS-DML) in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its administrative conciliation process.

In addition to the monetary settlement, the two-year consent decree settling the suit requires Subway to comply with prohibitions against further discrimination, train its supervisors and managers, post a notice, and report to the EEOC.

“Disability-related discrimination continues to be a troubling barrier to employment,” said EEOC Regional Attorney Kenneth L. Bird. “This employer wisely agreed to take the steps contained in the consent decree that will better ensure disabled applicants are not discriminated against again and may enjoy the full access to employment intended by the ADA.”

The Indianapolis District Office of the EEOC oversees Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, and parts of Ohio.

The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.