SHRM faces jury trial over denied service dog accommodation

Torres claims she was hired as a senior specialist in June 2024, only for the group to revoke the offer the following month upon learning of her need for the animal. She maintains the dog provides faster blood-sugar detection than standard glucose monitoring technology. The case heads to trial in Alexandria, Virginia, just months after the organization faced an $11.5 million verdict in an unrelated race discrimination and retaliation lawsuit, a decision currently under appeal.

SHRM disputes the allegations, asserting in court filings that it offered several alternatives, including frequent breaks and the use of continuous glucose monitors. In a public statement, the organization described its actions as a good-faith attempt to engage in an interactive process, claiming it asked the applicant to consult her physician regarding alternatives to the service dog. This legal challenge arrives amid a period of internal friction for the HR group, which has previously drawn scrutiny for its rigid attendance policies and public criticism of staff by CEO Johnny C. Taylor.