U.S. STEEL SUED BY EEOC FOR DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION

Gary Plant Rescinded Job Offer Because of Disability, Federal Agency Charges

HAMMOND, Ind. – United States Steel Corporation, a Pittsburgh-headquartered steel manufacturing company, violated federal law by denying a job to an applicant because of his disability, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit it filed today. 

According to the EEOC's suit, U.S. Steel's Gary, Ind., plant rescinded an offer of employment and refused to hire an applicant when it learned of his disability through a post-job-offer medical examination.

Such alleged conduct violates the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).  The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. United States Steel Corporation, Civil Action No. 2:09-cv-093, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division) after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement.

"People in any workplace should be treated fairly and consistently," said Danny R. Harter, director of the EEOC's Indianapolis District Office.  "Employees must be judged by their ability to do the job, not on discriminatory assessments related to disability or other non-job-related stereotypes."

The EEOC is seeking compensatory and punitive damages against the company as well as other relief, including a permanent injunction to prevent the company from engaging in any employment practice that discriminates on the basis of disability.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.  Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.  The EEOC's Indianapolis Office is located at 101 W. Ohio Street, Suite 1900.  The toll-free telephone number is (800) 669-4000.