The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against All Star Priority Staffing LLC, a Phoenix staffing agency.

The lawsuit alleges the firm violated federal law by requiring applicants seeking temporary employment to answer medical questions during its application process and then denied job opportunities to applicants based on their answers, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, All Star’s application process required applicants to fill out a medical questionnaire that inquired about, among other things, the applicant's use of medications, history of illnesses, and whether the applicant has or had any current or previous injuries to various parts of the body.

“In today’s economic climate, a sizable percentage of the workforce relies on staffing agencies such as All Star to find employment,” said EEOC Phoenix District Office Regional Attorney Mary Jo O’Neill. “This reality led the EEOC to place an emphasis on protecting the civil rights of temporary workers and applicants. This case demonstrates the EEOC’s commitment to protecting those workers.”

The EEOC filed suit in US District Court for the District of Arizona, after first attempting to reach a settlement through its pre-litigation conciliation process. The lawsuit seeks back pay, compensatory damages, and punitive damages, as well as appropriate injunctive relief to prevent discriminatory practices in the future.