BIRMINGHAM, ALA. — Wayne-Sanderson Farms agreed to pay over $62,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit brought against the poultry processor by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

EEOC alleged that Wayne-Sanderson fired Jeremy Flowers, an employee with a long-term disability at its Summit, Miss., facility, after he sought accommodation for a severe cluster headache and migraine condition. EEOC said in its suit that the company refused to discuss accommodations, sent Flowers home as a result of his request and fired him on account of his disability, which would be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Wayne-Sanderson said the settlement is not an admission to any wrongdoing.

“Although Wayne-Sanderson Farms denies any allegation of wrongdoing, the company is pleased to resolve this matter under amicable terms with Mr. Flowers and reach an agreement with the EEOC,” said a spokesperson for Wayne-Sanderson Farms. “The company's implementation of revised ADA employee training procedures and posting of revised ADA policies were already underway company-wide prior to the settlement as a part of its integration of the merged companies. Settling the case was a strategic decision to allow us to continue to focus on integration efforts and to avoid protracted litigation.”

Wayne-Sanderson signed a two-year consent decree, which prohibits the processor from future discrimination based on disability and requires a review of its ADA policy in addition to the monetary relief for Flowers. Wayne-Sanderson will also be required to provide ADA training for employees at the Summit plant, posting the revised policy in English and Spanish in the facility’s break rooms.