Employer Agrees to $350K Settlement in Pregnancy Discrimination Case

This month, the Palm Beach County, FL public school system announced that it had reached a settlement in the U.S. Justice Department lawsuit, which had alleged that a principal had unlawfully demoted an assistant principal upon discovering that she was pregnant with twins.

According to the complaint, the assistant principal was expecting twins in 2011 and had gone on maternity leave before being demoted and having her salary cut.

Under the terms of the $350,000 settlement, the school district is required to re-train its supervising and management staff regarding anti-discrimination and anti-harassment procedures. The settlement terms also require the district to submit its current policies to federal officials for assessment.

In doing so, the district’s board will not be required to admit any wrongdoing. A consent agreement signed by the board dictates that the board denies any discrimination or retaliatory behavior against the employee, especially actions found in violation of current federal law.

Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace

Pregnancy discrimination refers to any behavior or action that impacts a female employee’s ability to maintain a steady job due to pregnancy, childbirth, or another related condition. It also considers an employee’s ability to continue as a professional in the workforce. When this type of discrimination occurs, it often results in the loss of medical coverage at a critical time for healthcare for both mother and child.

In many cases, the consequences of pregnancy discrimination can be felt well into the future, especially if the damages make it difficult for an employee to find work again. When this occurs, it’s possible to deal with situations like decreased wages or salary stemming from gaps in employment.

Pregnancy discrimination is strictly prohibited at both the state level in California and the federal level. This extends to any and all aspects of employment, including:

• Job assignments
• Hiring
• Firing
• Promotions
• Pay
• Layoffs
• Fringe benefits
• Training

If you or someone you know has dealt with discrimination in the workplace as the result of pregnancy or childbirth, it is in your best interest to consult with an employment attorney as soon as possible. Only professionals qualified in this area of law can review your case compared to existing laws and determine the best strategy for the recovery of damages. California law provides unique protections for employees who are pregnant or who are disabled due to their pregnancy.

Legal Options for Los Angeles Residents

For those residing in Southern California, including the greater Los Angeles area, the employment lawyers at Azadian Law Group, PC, are here to help. Our firm is dedicated to employment law issues, including cases involving workplace discrimination based on age, gender, disability, or pregnancy. Our attorneys are highly skilled when it comes to handling these types of claims at both the California state and federal level and can provide the expertise you need when dealing with such delicate issues. Our award-winning employment attorneys recover millions each year for employees who are discriminated against at work.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your discrimination claim, our firm is committed to guiding and supporting you today.

To schedule a free consultation with a member of our employment discrimination team, call the attorneys of Azadian Law Group, PC, today at 626-449-4944 or 213-229-9031.