JACKSON, Ga. - American Woodmark Corp., the nation's second-biggest cabinetmaker and the eighth-largest company on the FDMC 300, allegedly violated federal law when it denied an employee accomodations for her health. 

 

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) says in a lawsuit the company failed to make accommodations for an employee's epilepsy, migraines, and heart condition. The 16-year employee asked for two days off of unpaid leave to seek treatment for her disabilities. The company apparently denied her request and administered attendance infraction points after she missed work.

 

Those points pushed her over the allowed number of absences. She was subsequently fired.

 

The EEOC lawsuit says the company fired her despite her providing a doctor's note and updated Family Medical Leave Act forms that proved her absences were due to disability treatment.

 

EEOC says American Woodmark's conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits employers from making employment decisions based on an individual’s disability. The Commission seeks back pay, front pay, compensatory, and punitive damages for the employee, as well as injunctive relief to prevent future discrimination.

 

American Woodmark employs more than 3,700 workers across nine U.S. manufacturing plants. It saw sales of just over $1 billion in 2018.