Question

The recently revised job description of an Administrative Assistant III at the Unified School District of Montage, which has 6,500 employees, lists as one of the essential functions that applicants must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Jonathon is a 56-year-old Administrative Assistant II who was denied a promotion to Administrative Assistant III because of his medically supported inability to lift more than 10 pounds. His performance evaluations over the past 15 years have been average to above average, and there are other Administrative Assistant IIIs with various documented limitations that the school district has made accommodations for. Which of the following laws would be most applicable in this case?

A. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
B. Americans with Disabilities Act
C. Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
D. Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938

Answer 1

The most applicable law in Jonathon's case is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which demands reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Although age may be a consideration, the primary concern is disability discrimination, making the ADA the pertinent legislation.

Option 'C' is the correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The case of Jonathon, a 56-year-old Administrative Assistant II, who was denied promotion due to his inability to lift more than 10 pounds relates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The ADA requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, unless doing so would impose undue hardship on the operation of the business.

Given that Jonathon has a medically supported restriction and there is evidence of the school district accommodating other employees with limitations, it appears that the ADA is most applicable in ensuring that Jonathon is not discriminated against on the basis of his disability.

This situation may also touch upon aspects of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), given Jonathon's age. However, since the core issue is about his physical limitation, not age, the ADA is the primary law applicable. The enforcement of these federal laws that prohibit discrimination is managed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).