Walgreens, diabetic employee reach $180K deal
Drugstore chain Walgreens has agreed to pay $180,000 to a diabetic employee who was fired after eating a $1.39 bag of chips before paying for it during what she said was an attack of low blood sugar.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced the settlement with Walgreens on Wednesday.
The commission filed a discrimination suit against the company three years ago on behalf of Josefina Hernandez after she was fired from a South San Francisco Walgreens in 2008.
According to the suit, the 18-year Walgreens employee paid for the bag of chips the same day she ate them, but was nonetheless let go.
Walgreens’ attorney Chris Murray said in a statement the settlement was consistent with the company’s commitment to accommodate the needs of employees with illnesses or disabilities.
