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ARTICLE · 28 OCTOBER 2005

Second Circuit Rules "Interacting With Others" is a Major Life Activity

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Recently, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in Jacques v. DiMarzio, Inc., held that "interacting with others" is a major life activity under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

United StatesEmployment and HR
Meghan Burns
Meghan Burns

Originally published June 2005

Recently, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in Jacques v. DiMarzio, Inc., held that "interacting with others" is a major life activity under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Facts of the Case

Audrey Jacques worked for DiMarzio, Inc., an electric guitar manufacturer, as a packager and assembler of guitar components in DiMarzio's Staten Island, NY factory for seven years until she was terminated in 1996. Ms. Jacques suffered from psychiatric problems for over forty years, including a severe depression disorder for which she took medication. She first informed her employer of her condition in 1992. By early 1996, Ms. Jacques' working relationship with her superiors had become "poisonous" because she was prone to confrontations and intolerant of ethnic minorities in the workplace. As a result, Ms. Jacques' direct supervisor felt obliged to treat her "with kid gloves" so as not to upset her. DiMarzio ultimately terminated

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