Dollar General fired N.J. worker with learning disability for being ‘too slow,’ lawsuit says

An Ocean County gentleman with a discovering disability and health and fitness difficulties has filed accommodate from the Greenback Common Company, boasting he was fired from the Point Pleasurable shop for staying “too slow” at his position as a stocking clerk.

Eric Sica, 38, of Brick, reported in courtroom papers he disclosed throughout his career job interview that he was born with spinal meningitis, a serious healthcare affliction triggered by an an infection of the fluid membranes encompassing the brain and spinal twine.

The ailment led to lifelong mastering disabilities, hearing decline and vision impairment, in accordance to the lawsuit submitted April 14 in Remarkable Courtroom in Ocean County.

Sica stated he wrote on his work software that he gets Social Security gains because of to his disabilities, could function restricted hours every 7 days and was unable to work shifts that needed him to drive at evening mainly because of his vision problems.

Shortly following he was employed on Oct. 30, 2020, Sica claims his supervisor commenced discriminating towards him dependent on his documented disabilities.

“You’re far too slow,” the supervisor allegedly informed him frequently as he stocked shelves. “You’re having as well lengthy. It shouldn’t acquire that prolonged.”

Sica instructed the supervisor “he was undertaking the best he could” and that he normally done his jobs, according to the lawsuit.

But the supervisor allegedly held yelling at Sica and falsely accused him of “not accomplishing just about anything in the retail store,” the fit states.

Right after recurring belittling, some of which transpired inside of earshot of other customers and co-employees, Sica complained to upper management, the lawsuit said.

Greenback Standard management unsuccessful to respond to his complaints and as an alternative fired Sica on Dec. 11, 2021, the accommodate alleges.

A spokesperson for Dollar General Company declined Friday to comment on the allegations in the suit, stating in an e-mail the enterprise does not remark on pending litigation.

The criticism alleges Sica was discriminated in opposition to around his disabilities, retaliated in opposition to for complaining about his supervisor, and that Dollar General Corporation violated New Jersey’s legal guidelines in opposition to discrimination.

In addition to searching for damages, Sica would like to be reinstated to his occupation and get the back again spend and gains he shed when he was fired, the lawsuit mentioned.

Sica is also in search of to have supervisors and supervisors at Dollar General bear anti-harassment and anti-discrimination education, according to the match.

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Anthony G. Attrino may perhaps be arrived at at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Stick to him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Obtain NJ.com on Facebook.