EEOC Accuses AMC Theatres of Disability Discrimination Against Longtime Employee

Owings Mills, Maryland — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is suing AMC Theatres, claiming that the theater chain violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by forcing out an employee with cerebral palsy.

The lawsuit, filed earlier this month, alleges that American Multi-Cinema, known as AMC, denied reasonable accommodations to Marc Gillis, a veteran employee who had worked at the Owings Mills location for 22 years.

Debra Lawrence, a regional attorney for the EEOC’s Philadelphia district, stated, “This employee had worked for the company for 22 years and requested very simple accommodations to continue as an effective employee.”

The complaint details how Gillis was subjected to mistreatment when a new manager began overseeing his work. The manager reportedly shouted at Gillis and called him “slow,” further diminishing his work hours.

Moreover, the EEOC claims this manager refused to provide Gillis with necessary equipment, such as a ticket scanner with a strap and side button, which were previously supplied to him. The complaint also notes that the manager only intermittently provided Gillis with a large print version of a daily list of movies and their corresponding theaters.

Eventually, Gillis was removed from the work schedule altogether, leading to the EEOC’s decision to file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland after unsuccessful attempts to reach a pre-litigation settlement with AMC Theatres.

The EEOC is seeking a court order that would require AMC to revise its policies and practices to prevent disability discrimination. Additionally, the commission is seeking backpay and other forms of compensation for Gillis.

As of now, AMC has not responded to requests for comments regarding the allegations in the lawsuit.