Holland v. Boeing Co. --Extending Protection Against Employment Discrimination to Transfers of Handicapped Employees

In Holland v. Boeing Co., the Washington Supreme Court considered for the first time a handicap discrimination case under the unfair employment practices section of the Washington Law Against Discrimination. In construing the statute, the Holland court emphasized that the handicapped are inherently different from other classes antidiscrimination legislation traditionally protects. The court then imposed upon the defendant-employer a high duty of accommodating the disabilities of handicapped employees. Thus, the decision provides important recognition of disabled workers' civil rights.