Terminated from job because of hearing lost

[KMC51]

I live in NC and was terminated from a job after being there for only a month and a half because they realized that I was hard of hearing. I couldn't hear the sensors when they went off if someone tried to leave the store without paying. Is this legal for them to do?

 

[cbg]

Maybe. If your job requires that you be able to hear the sensors AND there is either no way to provide an accomodation (maybe lights blinking instead of a sound) without creating an undue hardship AND if there is no other job they can move you into, tnen yes.

Note that I have no idea whether or not such an accomodation as I suggested is even possible and if it is, whether or not the associated costs (including downtime of the system) to make the change would be considered a hardship or not.

 

[KMC51]

If I wanted to pursue this to see if it was legal then who would I contact? Would it be someone in the department of labor or a lawyer? If a lawyer then what kind of lawyer?

 

[cbg]

The appropriate regulatory agency would be the EEOC. You could also discuss it with an attorney versed in employment law, although you MUST have a right to sue letter from the EEOC before you will be allowed to take any legal action.