Charlie Sheen’s Firing – Was It Disability Discrimination?
Sheen’s got drug issues. We can agree on that. He’s also got mental issues exacerbated by the drug issues. His firing due to his recent bizarre behavior as a result of these mental issues was the actionable event that got him fired. CBS will lose this case.
The law forbids discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment. http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/disability.cfm
What do you think? Leave a comment.
The breach of contract lawsuit alleges production was halted on the CBS sitcom in part to punish Sheen for recent behavior that has included two hospitalizations and, in recent weeks, a series of interviews in which he has attacked executive producer Chuck Lorre. But the suit and Sheen’s attorney, Marty Singer, say most of the incidents cited by Warner Bros. for firing Sheen occurred before his tirades against Lorre began.
“The suspension and termination of Mr. Sheen occurred only after Mr. Sheen had finally been provoked into criticizing Lorre in response to his harassment and disparagement campaign which had been going on for years,” according to the suit.
The filing comes four days after Sheen was terminated from “Two and a Half Men,” leaving the top-rated sitcom’s future in doubt.
Sheen’s lawsuit alleges that Warner Bros. bowed to Lorre’s desire to punish Sheen, and that the producer and studio conspired to blame the actor for causing production to stop.
A termination letter cited concerns about Sheen’s health. Singer said it would be illegal for the studio to fire the actor if he had the physical and mental issues described in the letter.
“We’re saying he was ready, willing and able to work and he could have worked,” Singer said.
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