Commission finds reasonable grounds on disability claim in Marquardt v. Midwest Veterinary Partners

The Maine Human Rights Commission on Feb. 17 determined there are reasonable grounds to believe that Midwest Veterinary Partners (MVP) discriminated against employee Teresa Marquardt on the basis of disability, while adopting the investigator's other recommended findings.

Respondent counsel told the commission MVP terminated Marquardt for repeated attendance, safety and performance deficiencies, and argued that isolated verbal coaching and undocumentated counseling did not amount to unlawful discrimination. "There is absolutely zero record evidence of other employees being disciplined and kept on board" for similar conduct, respondent counsel said in defense of the termination.

Complainant counsel Catherine Gabriel told commissioners the record shows little prior formal discipline and that the decisive adverse action followed Marquardt's disclosed Suboxone treatment and a requested accommodation. "The reasonable-grounds standard does not require complainant to prove her entire case at this stage," Gabriel said, arguing the administrative threshold was met and that further discovery at a public hearing could clarify disputed facts.

Investigator Alex Friendly acknowledged labeling errors in text-message evidence but said the timeline indicated disciplinary steps accelerated after the complainant disclosed treatment in March 2023. Commissioners debated whether testimony and some written warnings supported the employer’s stated performance rationale. After discussion, the commission adopted the investigator’s recommendations, including a reasonable-grounds finding on the disability claim and a direction to attempt conciliation.

The commission also noted that adopting a reasonable-grounds finding at this stage does not decide the ultimate legal outcome; it allows for conciliation or a full public hearing. Parties will receive written notice of the finding and instructions on next steps.