Paul Cronan

Paul Cronan

Term Paper Title Paul Cronan

# of Words 1959

# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced) 8

Paul Cronan

Cronan Case

Facts:

Paul Cronan was employed by New England Telephone Company (NET) in 1973 as a file clerk and promoted to service technician in 1983. In 1985, for a period of six month, Cronan began sporadically missing work due to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) related symptoms.

Cronan’s supervisor requested explanation of the absences and assured Cronan that this would be kept confidential. Cronan explained his AIDS status, was excused for the day, and subsequently ordered to see the company doctor. Two days later Cronan was informed by a co-worker that she had heard he had AIDS and that other co-workers were threatening Cronan with bodily harm should he return. Fearing for his safety and health Cronan requested he be placed on medical leave, this was granted with benefits.

In late August 1985 Cronan felt well enough to return to work. He obtained the required medical fitness certification but was hesitant to return to the South Boston office he had worked in. Informed that disparaging graffiti had been left on the bathroom stalls he used, and that managers within the company had promised to have his work areas disinfected, Cronan was fearful for his safety and requested a transfer. A response to his request was not forthcoming. Cronan fell ill again in early September and received a letter offering his original position with no mention of the transfer request.

In December of 1985 Cronan, assisted by the Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, filed a $1.45 million civil lawsuit in state court against NET charging violations of state privacy law for disclosure of Cronan’s illness. The suite also alleged discrimination, claiming that AIDS was a handicap and thus was covered by statutes prohibiting discrimination.

Cronan was hospitalized several more times but by the spring of 1986 had improved. In June, he was notified that his illness benefits had elapsed and was being placed on long-term disability, which meant he was no longer a NET employee.

In October of 1986, Cronan and NET reached an agreement allowing Cronan to return to work the following week.

After his return Cronan faced “a hostile environment” which included written threats to gays and lesbians,