Worker with disability faced discrimination at Wyandotte County utility, lawsuit says
A woman employed by the Board of Public Utilities for two decades is suing Wyandotte County over claims of disability discrimination.
Jill Ann Rogers has been employed with the county since 2003. In 2016, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which has limited her mobility.
According to the federal lawsuit filed Friday in the U.S. Court for the District of Kansas, her handicapped parking space was not close to the main entrance. Closer spots were available, but she was not permitted to use them because they were reserved for management and board members, the lawsuit said.
Rogers had been carrying out the responsibilities of acting purchasing director, but in March 2021, she was passed over for the position. The lawsuit said the decision was at least in part because of her disability.
Rogers receives chemotherapy treatment which leaves her immune system suppressed. For a time, she was allowed to work remotely. But then the board told her she would not be permitted to work remotely and she needed a doctor’s note to return to the office safely.
At the time, her doctor was not comfortable writing the note because of her compromised health, the lawsuit said.
She was forced to utilize leave using the Family Medical Leave Act.
In March 2022, the doctor approved her return to work. But the board refused to allow her to come back, the lawsuit said. As a result, Rogers is still employed by the board, but continues to be on long-term disability benefits, the lawsuit said.
Rogers has suffered lost wages, emotional distress, loss of career opportunities and deprivation of civil rights, the lawsuit alleges.
David Mehlhaff, a spokesman for the BPU, and Krystal McFeders, a spokeswoman for the county, said they were unable to comment on pending litigation.
The BPU has faced several lawsuits in recent years alleging racial discrimination.
