DENVER — A former Colorado Public Radio host has resolved his dispute with the company.
Vic Vela filed a civil rights and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint against CPR in March accusing them of not accommodating his disability and wrongfully firing him.
"I am pleased to announce that the dispute involving me and my former employer, Colorado Public Radio, has been resolved," Vela posted on Facebook Friday. "Additionally, and with my gratitude, CPR is supporting me and my efforts to produce future episodes of the award-winning podcast, 'Back from Broken.'"
CPR confirmed the matter was resolved to 9NEWS in a statement.
"We encourage Vic in his future endeavors and his continuing efforts to educate the community," the statement says. "To that end, we are agreeable to Vic’s producing the “Back From Broken” podcast on his own in the future."
Vela worked for CPR for nine years. The company said in a previous statement that they "parted ways" with him on Jan. 3.
Back from Broken discussed mental health, overcoming addiction and supporting others during the pandemic.
The complaint said that when Vela complained about stressful working conditions threatening his recovery, accommodations weren't made and he was later fired.
Vela claimed CPR exploited his health condition and life story "for financial gain and prestige," only to fire him as soon as they had to deal with his disability.
The complaint said CPR's actions violated Colorado's anti-discrimination act.
After the complaint was filed, CPR released the following statement:
While we typically do not comment on personnel decisions, due to the public conversation about this issue, and in an effort to increase transparency about management decisions, we feel it is important to make this statement.
Over the past several years, this person has demonstrated behaviors that are not in alignment with the values, culture and environment we have at CPR, where we strive to provide a workplace that is both physically and psychologically safe for all of our employees. This individual was provided opportunities to bring his behavior in alignment with our values but was unable to meet those expectations.
Colorado Public Radio does not tolerate harassment or hostile, abusive or discriminatory behaviors of any kind from any employee – regardless of their power, influence or position. This applies to all individuals including vendors, contractors, and audiences. Behavior that is aggressive or hostile, creates a reasonable fear of injury toward another party, or subjects another to emotional distress will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
Any allegations associated with discrimination by CPR towards this individual are false.
Details about how the dispute was resolved were not released.
More reporting by 9NEWS:
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