In May, we wrote about the lawsuit filed by a former employee of Starbucks Coffee Company against the coffee giant, claiming that Starbucks had illegally discriminated against her because she was a dwarf. Recently, Starbucks agreed to settle with the former employee for $75,000, and also agreed to implement disability training for all managers and supervisors at the store location from which the employee was fired.

The former barista was hired by Starbucks in 2009. She was fired after just three days of training after a store manager determined that her small stature would prove a "danger" to fellow employees and customers, despite her offer to use a stool or small stepladder to carry out the duties of employment. With the help of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the barista filed an employment lawsuit against Starbucks in May of this year, alleging that the company violated labor laws by failing to accommodate her disability.

After the parties negotiated, Starbucks reportedly offered to pay the former barista $75,000 to settle the claim. In addition, Starbucks will implement additional training on disability issues for all supervisory employees at the barista's former store location in El Paso, Texas.

According to EEOC attorney Robert A. Canino, the settlement achieves important things for both the barista and her former employer. "The Starbucks customer environment is one that is often considered comfortable and progressive," he said in a statement. "By fostering that same environment for people behind the counter, Starbucks reinforces a positive public image."

Starbucks agreed, citing the company's long history of working to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Source: Reuters, "Starbucks settles with dwarf fired from barista job," Tim Gaynor, August 18, 2011