Challenge Yourself!

April applies for a job as a barista at a coffee shop. The Store Manager is impressed with April's recent barista work experience and positive references and offers her a job. On her first day, April asks the Store Manager where she should put her medication, which needs to be refrigerated. The Manager asks her what the medication is and why she needs to take it, and April explains that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a few years ago. The manager nods and shows her the refrigerator in the employee break room. At the end of the day, the Store Manager tells April that he decided that the job was not a good fit for her. He says that the job could be very fast-paced and requires dealing with customers who may be rude and impatient. He expresses concern that the stress of the job may make her medical condition worse, and says that he does not want to risk her hurting herself or her co-workers if she has a "mental breakdown" while preparing hot beverages. Did the manager discriminate against April?

1. A. No. While it may have been unfair for the manager to change his mind about hiring April, the manager did so out of concern for April's well-being, so his decision was not illegal.

   A is incorrect.
   The manager discriminated against April by firing her because of her bipolar disorder. The fact that the manager may have been looking out for April's best interests does not matter. There is no evidence that April was unable to handle the barista job or would pose a danger to herself or her co-workers. In fact, she previously worked as a barista and received positive references from her former employer.

   NOTE: In this example, the manager should not have asked April about her medication. However, if an applicant or employee requests a workplace change because of a disability, the employer may ask for medical information.

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2. B. No. April should have told the manager that she had bipolar disorder during her interview.

   B is incorrect.
   April was not required to inform the manager that she had bipolar disorder during her interview.

   NOTE: In this example, the manager should not have asked April about her medication. However, if an applicant or employee requests a workplace change because of a disability, the employer may ask for medical information.

   Try again! Select another answer.

3. C. Yes. The manager discriminated against April by asking her about her medication. However, once he learned that she had bipolar disorder, he had a valid reason to fire her.

   C is incorrect.
   It is true that the manager should not have asked April about her medication. In general, employers are not allowed to ask employees what prescription medication they are taking. The manager discriminated against April by firing her because of her bipolar disorder. There is no evidence that April was unable to handle the barista job or would pose a danger to herself or her co-workers. In fact, she previously worked as a barista and received positive references from her former employer.

   NOTE: In this example, the manager should not have asked April about her medication. However, if an applicant or employee requests a workplace change because of a disability, the employer may ask for medical information.

   Try again! Select another answer.

4. D. Yes. The manager discriminated against April by asking her about her medication and by firing her.

   D is correct.
   The manager should not have asked April about her medication. In general, employers are not allowed to ask employees what prescription medication they are taking. The manager also discriminated against April by firing her because of her bipolar disorder. There is no evidence that April was unable to handle the barista job or would pose a danger to herself or her co-workers. In fact, she previously worked as a barista and received positive references from her former employer.

   NOTE: In this example, the manager should not have asked April about her medication. However, if an applicant or employee requests a workplace change because of a disability, the employer may ask for medical information.

   Great job! Select another answer, or go to the next question.