
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 22, 1993                   TAG: 9309220238
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

VA. POWER EMPLOYEE LOSES SMOKE-FREE BID

A federal court on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Virginia Power employee seeking a smoke-free workplace.

Robert E. Harmer sued Virginia Power in March, alleging that the Richmond-based utility discriminated against him because he has bronchial asthma.

The lawsuit in U.S. District Court stemmed from Harmer's requests over several years that the company create a smoke-free work area to accommodate his disability.

In dismissing the suit, Judge Richard L. Williams said the disabilities act protects Harmer from discrimination originating from his disability, but "Harmer still must show that he is entitled to a complete smoking ban as a reasonable accommodation to his disability, and he is unable to do so."

- Associated Press

by CNB