The hospital reached a consent decree, meaning it agreed to pay. But did not admit any wrongdoing in discrimination.
A Minnesota hospital has agreed to pay $180,000 to a woman who said the hospital refused to hire her because she is deaf.
Kaylah Vogt filed a federal lawsuit against. North Memorial Health in Robbinsdale last year. saying the hospital discriminated against her after learning about her disability.
Vote said that in July 2020 he applied for a role as a greeter at North Memorial Health. The job requires welcoming visitors, giving directions, following mask requirements. And making sure to check for Covid symptoms reading from a script, according to the suit.
The lawsuit also states that greeters had access to a poster. That displayed images related to Covid symptoms. That could be used to communicate with hospital visitors.
Vogt interviewed with a recruiter, as well as a manager at a recruiting firm. North Memorial Health uses to fill temporary positions. According to the lawsuit, his interview with the manager was conducted. Via a video relay service with an American Sign Language interpreter.
The lawsuit states that Vogt told the hiring company that he was deaf. It says he can communicate verbally and with sign language and. That he uses hearing aids that help him hear people “without difficulty”. It says that Voth can perform the duties of a greeter.
The manager told Vogt to contact North Memorial Health. About his disability, the suit says. Shortly thereafter, the hospital told the recruiting manager. That it could not proceed with her application, according to the lawsuit. The manager relayed the news to Bhot, it said.
North Memorial Health has repeatedly denied the allegations. In court documents filed in response to the lawsuit. Saying it “did not engage in any alleged unlawful employment practices. It did not discriminate against Kaylah Voting, it did not fail to accommodate Voting.”
In a statement Wednesday, the hospital said it recognizes. That “our onboarding processes for temporary roles. May have been compromised during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. And we understand Ms. Vogt’s frustration with the decisions made at the time.” “Committed to practice and we embrace the unique contributions, abilities. And experiences of each team member and all potential team members,” it continued.
The hospital said it has reviewed its practices and will. “Continue to strive to ensure that our customers, our current. Past and future team members and our providers feel valued and respected.”
In court documents, the hospital asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed. But on Jan. 12, it reached a consent decree, meaning. It will agree to a $180,000 settlement while admitting no wrongdoing. Besides, the hospital must review its workplace policies of disability discrimination. Make any changes to policies that violate the Americans with Disabilities Act. And train managers and supervisors about the 1990 Anti-Discrimination Act.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Which filed the lawsuit on Vogt’s behalf, said it was “satisfied.”
“Unfortunately, some employers continue to discriminate against deaf applicants based on myths, fears. And stereotypes about their ability to work because of their disability.” Said Gregory Gochanour, an attorney with the agency.
Vogt recounted her experience in a 2021 article with. the University of Minnesota’s College of Continuing. And Professional Studies, where she studied integrative behavioral health. He said he was repeatedly denied employment because of his disability.
“This time, I took legal action. … Ultimately, this affects my career choice and how I navigate the world,” he said.