Rights panel rejects Surry woman’s claim

AUGUSTA – The Maine Human Rights Commission on Monday found no reasonable grounds for a Surry woman to claim that her grocery store employer discriminated against her for having hepatitis C.

Joyce Kuzman, through her attorney, David Chase, claimed that Hannaford Bros. Co. required her to wear two pairs of gloves when she handled seafood at her job. The requirement left her feeling humiliated and discriminated against, Chase said.

The store where she worked could not be determined Monday night.

Later, Hannaford learned from a physician’s office and from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration that the gloves were not necessary to stop the spread of the disease.

Kuzman was disciplined by Hannaford for not wearing the double gloves, Chase said.

Hannaford’s attorney, Michael Anderson, said it was proper for the business to discipline her for insubordination.

Commissioners on Monday agreed, but commission Chairwoman Kim Millick chastised Anderson, saying,

“I think Hannaford could’ve gotten information on hepatitis C.” Commissioners also learned that Kuzman’s complaint was filed after the six-month deadline had passed, and so voted against supporting her claim.

In other action Monday, commissioners:

. Found that reasonable grounds existed that John Ferrara of Skowhegan was fired in retaliation by OSI Collection Services of Augusta, but found no reasonable grounds for Ferrara’s harassment claim against the business.

The commissioners ruled that no reasonable grounds existed in complaints filed by:

. Nancy Harmon of Veazie v. Acadia Healthcare of Bangor.

. Douglas Brown of Belfast v. General Alum & Chemical Corp. of Searsport.

. Kent Lary of Benton v. Pride Manufacturing of Burnham.

. Lori Levesque of Fort Kent v. Aroostook Mental Health Center of Caribou.

. Peter White of Raymond v. Sappi of Skowhegan.

. Kim Gagnon of Medway v. Sweet Seniors Assisted Living Facility of East Millinocket.

. Curtis Probert of Perry v. Thomas DiCenzo Inc. of Calais.

. Beverly Wilson of Bangor v. State of Maine-Bangor Mental Health Institute.

. Thomas Webber of Missouri v. Green Acres Restaurant of Caribou.

. Jo-Ellen Springer of Dixmont v. Maine Department of Behavioral and Disability Services-Bangor Mental Health Institute.

. John Shannon of Connor Township v. Durepo Farms of New Sweden.

. Evan Morse of Belfast v. Piper Shores of Scarborough.

. Karel Barter of Warren v. Growing Tree Learning Center of Rockland.