What's Happening?
A Brooklyn jury has ruled that National Grid must pay $3.1 million to two former employees, Luciano Russo and George Messiha, for denying their requests to continue working from home after the COVID-19
pandemic. The jury found that National Grid violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and state and city human-rights laws by refusing to allow the employees, who have health issues, to maintain their telework schedules. The company had initially allowed remote work during the pandemic but switched to a hybrid schedule in July 2021. The jury determined that National Grid failed to prove that remote work would cause undue hardship.
Why It's Important?
This ruling could set a precedent for telework as a reasonable accommodation under disability laws. It highlights the ongoing legal and ethical considerations companies face in balancing operational needs with employee rights. The decision may influence other businesses to reassess their remote work policies, especially for employees with disabilities. The case underscores the importance of accommodating workers' health needs, potentially impacting how companies nationwide approach remote work and disability accommodations.
What's Next?
National Grid has expressed disagreement with the verdict and plans to pursue further legal action. The outcome of any appeals could further clarify the legal obligations of employers regarding remote work accommodations. Other companies may closely watch the developments to guide their policies, potentially leading to broader changes in workplace accommodations and remote work practices.
