Jack in the Box Settles Bias Lawsuit

From: HR.BLR.com - Nov 9, 2004

Fast-food chain Jack in the Box has agreed to pay $25,000 and change its hiring policy to settle a lawsuit alleging the company discriminated against a deaf applicant, the Houston Chronicle reports.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity alleged that a Jack in the Box restaurant in Texas violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by rejecting Alfonso Cruz for a position as cook because he was deaf and unable to speak. The lawsuit accused the company of rejecting Cruz without making an individual assessment of his ability to perform the job.

In settling the lawsuit, the company denied any wrongdoing.

"Jack in the Box has a long-standing policy prohibiting discrimination of any kind," says spokesperson Brian Luscomb. "We're pleased that this matter is resolved and wish Mr. Cruz success as he pursues his future studies."

The newspaper notes that Cruz, who is applying for college, found a job with McDonald's after the Jack in the Box restaurant rejected him.

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