The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a proposed consent decree to resolve religious and disability discrimination claims against a medical transportation provider. Rather than require Global Medical Response to change its restrictions on facial hair for EMTs and paramedics who use tight-fitting respirators, the proposed decree would require it to create non-emergency EMT and paramedic positions where sufficient work exists and allow qualifying employees to use loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs). It also would require an independent consultant to study whether PAPRs could be used safely and effectively in emergency services.
The proposed decree takes an unusual approach to addressing potentially competing accommodation, safety, and operational considerations by creating an alternative employment structure and requiring further study of the accommodation’s potential expansion. It also would establish procedures for handling accommodation requests, including written explanations for some denials and protections against adverse action during the review of qualifying requests.
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