Pilot Air Freight Lawsuit: Company Now Made to Pay $400k After EEOC Sues

Pilot Air Freight Resolves Lawsuit Over Manager’s Firing After Cancer Diagnosis

Pilot Air Freight, LLC, a company that ships goods around the world, has agreed to pay $400,000 to settle a lawsuit. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed the lawsuit, claiming the company fired a manager because he had cancer. This case highlights the need for fair treatment of all workers, especially those with health issues.

The Situation with Pilot Air Freight

In June 2019, Thomas Hunt, a manager at Pilot Air Freight, told his boss he needed time off to visit his doctor. He was waiting for results from a biopsy. A short time later, the company let him go. Pilot said the firing was due to a reduction in staff. They claimed Hunt was let go because he had been with the company for less time than others, and his role was no longer needed. However, the EEOC found evidence that Pilot hired new employees around the same time. They even hired someone for a job very similar to Hunt’s, with a higher salary. This raised doubts about the company’s explanation.

The EEOC argued that Pilot’s actions violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA protects workers from discrimination because of a known or perceived disability. The lawsuit (EEOC v. Pilot Air Freight, LLC, Case No. 1:21-CV-03936-MLB-LTW) was filed in 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia after attempts to settle the matter out of court failed.

Settlement Details

As part of the settlement, Pilot Air Freight will pay $400,000 to Thomas Hunt. The company has also agreed to take several steps to prevent future discrimination:

• Training: Pilot will train its employees on the ADA to ensure they understand how to support coworkers with disabilities.

• Policy Updates: The company will maintain and update its anti-discrimination policies to make sure they are clear and effective.

• Employee Notices: Pilot will put up notices in the workplace to remind employees of their rights under the ADA and the company’s commitment to fair treatment.

• EEOC Monitoring: The EEOC will keep an eye on how Pilot handles any complaints related to disability discrimination to make sure the company follows the law.

EEOC Comments

Marcus G. Keegan, an attorney for the EEOC’s Atlanta District Office, was pleased with the settlement. He said, “Employees with disabilities should be supported—not cast aside. We are glad Pilot has agreed to train its employees, and we are hopeful that no other Pilot employees will go through the discrimination Mr. Hunt faced.”

Darrell Graham, the EEOC’s Atlanta office director, also commented on the case. He stressed the importance of equal treatment for all workers, regardless of disability. “This consent decree shows that the Commission is dedicated to ensuring that all employees, regardless of their disability status, have an equal opportunity to enjoy the privileges and benefits of employment,” Graham stated.

What This Means

This case is a reminder to all employers about the importance of following the ADA. Discriminating against employees because of a disability is against the law and goes against the principles of fairness and equality at work.

For more information on disability discrimination and how to protect your rights, visit the EEOC’s website at www.eeoc.gov.