The Society for Human Resource Management is facing a federal lawsuit in the United States alleging it discriminated against a job applicant with Type 1 diabetes after she requested permission to bring her trained service dog to work.
The woman filed the complaint Dec. 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, claiming SHRM violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and Virginia Human Rights Act when it withdrew her employment offer in July 2024.
She accepted a position as senior specialist in SHRM’s product management department on June 3, 2024, according to court documents. She informed the organization of her disability and requested an accommodation to bring her service dog to the workplace at the time of acceptance.
None of these allegations have been tested or proven in court.
Service dog prevents life-threatening episodes
The woman experiences severe hypoglycemic episodes related to her Type 1 diabetes that can cause loss of consciousness, seizures, confusion, and other dangerous symptoms, according to the complaint. Before being paired with her service dog in May 2017, she suffered approximately 10 blackout episodes per year. Since acquiring the dog, she has experienced only one such incident over eight years.
The service dog detects changes in her blood sugar levels before mechanical monitors can, according to her physician’s documentation submitted to SHRM. She provided medical notes stating the dog is medically necessary for her safety and health at all times.
Accommodation request denied without explanation
SHRM’s director of talent acquisition and inclusion initially said her position was not in jeopardy because of the service dog request, according to the complaint. However, the organization delayed her June 17 start date to evaluate the accommodation.
On June 17, SHRM denied the request, stating she could perform essential job duties without the service dog present. The organization asked for additional information, which was provided the same day, detailing her medical history including 10 severe episodes at her previous workplace between 2014 and 2017.
She explained that continuous glucose monitors have limitations including two-hour warm-up periods every 10 days, insurance delays, equipment failures, and inaccurate readings. SHRM requested further documentation, which she submitted June 19 along with an updated physician’s letter.
Employment offer rescinded
On July 3, 2024, SHRM denied the accommodation request without explanation, according to court documents. The organization instead offered to allow her to use her glucose monitoring system, keep food and insulin at her workstation, and take breaks to check blood sugar levels.
She responded July 6 with detailed information about why the glucose monitor alone was insufficient for her safety. On July 15, SHRM rescinded the employment offer, stating it could not grant the service dog accommodation and that no reasonable accommodations existed to allow her to perform essential job functions.
The complaint notes SHRM never expressed concerns about the woman’s ability to control the service dog, asked about potential workplace disruptions, or cited any hardship the accommodation would cause.
Claims and damages sought
The lawsuit alleges disability discrimination and failure to accommodate under both federal and state law. She is seeking compensatory damages for lost wages, benefits, and emotional distress, as well as punitive damages. The complaint states SHRM acted with malice and reckless indifference to her protected rights.
She filed a charge with the Virginia Office of the Attorney General’s Office for Civil Rights on Oct. 31, 2024, which was transferred to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She filed a formal EEOC charge Jan. 19, 2025, and received a right-to-sue notice Sept. 19, 2025.
SHRM describes itself as the world’s largest human resources membership organization with approximately 340,000 members in 180 countries. The organization’s principal place of business is in Alexandria, Va., where she was offered employment.
The case is Torres v. Society for Human Resource Management, Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-2360, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. She is represented by attorneys Stephen B. Pershing and Lori B. Kisch of Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch. SHRM is represented by Tara S. Param of Holland & Knight.
