Panel Finds Employment Discrimination

Denise Cyr had filed a claim of illegal discrimination against Rainbow Federal Credit Union in Lewiston.

Cyr was a customer of the credit union when she applied for a teller's job and was interviewed in July 2007.

According to a commission investigator, an executive vice president terminated Cyr's job interview after asking whether Cyr, who was using crutches, had polio and after Cyr asked whether she could sit rather than stand as a teller.

Pierce concluded that the credit union "unlawfully discriminated against Ms. Cyr when it failed to hire her, made illegal inquiries regarding disabilities and refused to consider reasonable accommodations."

The credit union, through its attorney, denied the allegations.

The commission voted on the case as part of its consent agenda and no oral arguments were heard in this case on Monday.

Commission findings are not law, but may become grounds for lawsuits.

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