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Starbucks sued for firing dwarf

AP / file

(CBS/AP) EL PASO, Texas - We'll spare you the "small" jokes - actually in Starbucks' case those are really "tall" jokes - as we tell you the following:

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is suing the java giant for firing a dwarf, who asked for a stool to perform her job as a barista at an El Paso Starbucks.

An EEOC statement said the lawsuit was filed Monday in federal court in El Paso. It alleges that Starbucks fired Elsa Sallard after three days of training, because it deemed she'd pose a danger to customers and co-workers. The commission contends Starbucks' actions violated the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The agency also seeks lost wages and compensatory damages for Sallard, and a court order that Starbucks adopt policies to correct and prevent disability discrimination.

Starbucks said in a statement that its policies provide for equal employment opportunities and strictly prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.

And so ends chapter one of this "tall" tale.

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