EEOC files disability bias suit against San Diego hotel

Merritt Hospitality and HEI Hotels and Resorts, who together operate the Embassy Suites San Diego Bay, face an EEOC lawsuit alleging that the hotel failed to grant an asthmatic employee’s accommodation request.

According to the complaint, the employee was forced to work in a room that lacked windows and ventilation. The confinement triggered an asthmatic reaction that resulted in the employee being hospitalized overnight. When the employee allegedly asked to be moved to another room to work, the hotel fired her.

She filed an EEOC complaint claiming violations of the ADA when it refused to engage in the required interactive accommodations process. The suit seeks monetary damages for the employee, as well as injunctive relief.