Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/42794
logbook Alcohol problem leads to lawsuit The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a discrimination suit against Old Dominion Freight Line over its alleged policy of banning recovering alcoholics from driving. EEOC charged the general goods hauler violated Americans with We're looking for Owners Operators who share our goals High Safety Standards, Customer Satisfaction, Results Driven, Integrity Always, Performance, No exceptions $2,000 sign on bonus Our Truckload Blanket Wrap division has openings for High Quality, Performance-Oriented, Experienced Owner Operators. We have Single and Double Operation Openings. Singles average $1.08 per mile. Doubles average $1.23 per mile plus fuel surcharge. Call Toll Free 800-234-3112, ask for Melinda or Connie Disabilities Act compliance after it fired a trucker who reported he had abused alcohol. The ADA recognizes alcoholism as a disability. The U.S. Department of Transportation allows workers who report themselves for alcohol abuse to return to driving. The carrier had not responded to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas in mid-September. Bill Canfill, Old Dominion assistant general counsel, said the carrier would vigorously defend itself. The driver worked for Old Dominion for five years without incident until late June 2009, when he told his supervisor he had an alcohol problem and was suspended. He started meeting with Alcoholics Anonymous June 29. He met July 1 with a DOT-certified counselor, who said the driver would have out-patient treatment and could return to work. That day, supervisors told him he probably couldn't return. The commission stated earlier that year that other Old Dominion "banned" drivers who reported substance abuse were fired. The employer had allegedly told him he could become a part-time dock worker but without benefits. The driver is said to have believed he would have to pay for private out- patient treatment, for which he would be reimbursed only if insurance approved the care. He told his supervisor he could afford only group treatment and was attending it. Old Dominion says it fired him for job abandonment July 24. EEOC sued to reinstate the driver's job, back pay, compensatory and punitive damages and lost benefit compensation, and an injunction against Old Dominion against future non-ADA compliance. — Jill Dunn 68 OVERDRIVE OCTOBER 2011 TRUCKING OPPORTUNITIES Circle 219 on Reader Service Card or visit overdrive.hotims.com