When a 527 pound employee at a residential drug and alcohol treatment center was terminated, she filed an ADA charge with the EEOC, claiming her severe obesity was the reason. She died while her charge was pending. The EEOC sued her former employer and the parties have resolved the lawsuit with a Consent Decree. EEOC v. Res. For Human Dev. Inc. d/b/a Family House of La. (E.D. La. April 4, 2012).

The Consent Decree requires Family House to create and maintain a tribute to the ex-employee at her former workplace. Family House must “permanently name a children’s room” in her memory and “memorialize the room” with a plaque at least 9 X 12 inches in size, with the inscription specified in the Decree. The plaque must also include a color copy of the former employee’s photograph, attached to the Decree, at least 8 X 10 inches and “printed on archival quality paper.” The plaque and photograph shall state on the back that it is posted pursuant to the court’s order.

The Decree requires that Family House post the plaque and photograph for as long as Family House of La. operates the facility and, should it no longer operate the facility, the plaque and photo shall be “permanently placed” at a prominent location at its headquarters.

The Consent Decree also requires Family House to pay $125,000.