A Clearfield, Utah Japanese restaurant will pay $30,000
and furnish other relief to settle a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit
filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the
agency announced.
The EEOC’s suit (Case No. 1:09-cv-43 TS in U.S. District Court for
the District of Utah) charged that Tepanyaki of Clearfield LLC
discriminated against Alison Woodbury by firing her because of her
pregnancy. Woodbury was hired as a server for Tepanyaki, the EEOC said,
but during her initial training Tepanyaki discovered that she was
pregnant and terminated her.
Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color,
religion, sex (including pregnancy or sexual harassment) or national
origin and protects employees who complain about such offenses from
retaliation.
"Under federal law, employers must permit pregnant employees to work
as long as they are able to perform their jobs," said EEOC Regional
Attorney Mary Jo O’Neill. "All workers, including pregnant employees,
deserve fairness in the workplace. Women should not lose employment
opportunities because of pregnancy."
Acting EEOC Phoenix District Director Rayford O. Irvin added, "Myths
and stereotypes that categorize all pregnant women as unable to work
are disempowering to both employers and pregnant employees. We are
pleased that this settlement will steer Tepanyaki toward better
treatment of pregnant employees."
In addition to the monetary relief, the consent decree settling the
suit, signed by Federal District Court Judge Ted Stewart, requires
Tepanyaki to provide training and other relief aimed at educating its
employees about sex discrimination, including pregnancy
discrimination, and their rights under Title VII.