Pregnancy Discrimination Case Leads to $185,000 Settlement

Despite recent legal gains, women who are expecting a child still face mistreatment at works. Sometimes, pregnant women experience a hostile work environment or are denied the time off they need to attend obstetrician appointments. There are also cases where companies fire workers simply because they have gotten pregnant. 

Often, one complaint of pregnancy discrimination reveals a pattern of illegal behavior in this regard. In one case, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) brought action against a staffing agency, alleging that they terminated a woman from a warehouse job once they learned she was expecting. As a result, TEG Staffing, Inc., doing business as Eastridge Workforce Solutions, agreed to pay $185,000 in order to resolve the EEOC case. 

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act — an amendment to Title VII — bars employers from discriminating on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Employers must treat pregnancy-related limitations the same as other temporary disabilities when it comes to leave, light-duty assignments, and accommodation. Both staffing agencies and host employers can face liability when pregnant workers are denied accommodations, disciplined or terminated due to pregnancy.

There are many unique elements to a pregnancy discrimination claim. Many types of discrimination claims related to protected personal characteristics that are not subject to change. On the other hand, pregnancy lasts for approximately nine months, and it might take some time for a woman to know for sure that she’s expecting. Even though the condition is temporary, employers might worry that the woman will not want to return to work after giving birth. This could lead to adverse job actions such as a demotion or an unwanted reduction in work duties.

These cases can also invoke protections under multiple laws, including the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act, as well as state-based protections. You should speak with a knowledgeable lawyer if you believe that your workplace rights are being violated because you’re expecting. 

Kardell Law Group handles a full range of employment bias matters, including pregnancy discrimination actions. To schedule a consultation regarding your legal options, please call or contact us online.