Sonic Sued For Firing Epileptic Employee

The Sonic Drive-In in Lucedale, Mississippi will pay $22,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit.

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Sonic fired Alecia Lawrence after learning she's epileptic. A manager told Lawrence it was no longer safe for her to work around knives, ovens and other equipment due to her medical condition.

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employers from making employment decisions that are based on misconceptions, assumptions or beliefs about an individual’s medical condition.

Ted Riley Corporation, which owns the Sonic franchise in Lucdale, must also adopt, implement, post and disseminate anti-discrimination policies and procedures; provide anti-discrimination training to managers; promptly and thoroughly investigate and address complaints of disability discrimination; and take steps to ensure that there will be no retaliation against employees who complain about conduct believed to be discriminatory.

"Ms. Lawrence was performing her job successfully and should not have been fired,” said C. Emanuel Smith, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Birmingham District Office.