Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement: Illinois Nursing Facility Pays $400,000 and Highlights Importance of Fair Workplace Policies

Workplace discrimination against pregnant employees is illegal under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), which prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. Despite this, some employers still have policies that violate the law, as demonstrated by the recent case of Symphony Deerbrook LLC.

Symphony Deerbrook LLC’s Pregnancy Policy

Symphony Deerbrook LLC, a skilled nursing facility in Illinois, had a pregnancy policy in 2018 that required employees to inform them about their pregnancy as soon as possible. The policy also required pregnant employees to provide medical documentation and clearance to work without restrictions.

EEOC’s accusations against Symphony Deerbrook LLC

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sued Symphony Deerbrook LLC on behalf of two former employees who were terminated after they sought reasonable accommodation for their pregnancy-related restrictions. The lawsuit alleges that the employer violated the PDA by denying reasonable accommodation and terminating their employment.

Lawsuit Allegations and What Not to Do

The allegations in the lawsuit painted a clear picture of what not to do when formulating a pregnancy policy. For one, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) prohibits employers from discriminating against employees and applicants based on their pregnancy or related medical conditions. This includes denying reasonable accommodation for pregnancy-related restrictions.

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and Illegal Discrimination

The PDA was enacted in 1978 to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include pregnancy discrimination as a form of sex discrimination. The law applies to employers with 15 or more employees and covers all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotions, and termination.

Forbidding Pregnant Employees from Proving Ability to Work

Symphony Deerbrook LLC’s policy required pregnant employees to provide medical documentation and clearance to work without restrictions. This requirement is illegal under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) because it places an undue burden on pregnant employees that is not imposed on non-pregnant employees.

Accommodation of Pregnant Workers and Non-Discrimination

Under the PDA, covered employers must accommodate pregnant workers just as they would accommodate non-pregnant workers who are similar in their ability or inability to work. This means that employers must provide reasonable accommodation to pregnant employees with pregnancy-related restrictions unless doing so would impose an undue hardship.

“Prohibiting Pregnant Employees from Working Without Full Clearance. Symphony Deerbrook LLC’s policy also prohibited pregnant employees from working unless they were fully cleared to do so without restriction. This is also illegal under the PDA because it treats pregnant employees differently from non-pregnant employees.”

What Not to Do When Crafting a Pregnancy Policy

When putting together a policy regarding pregnancy, employers should follow the guidelines set forth by the PDA. Employers should not require employees to disclose their pregnancy, ask employees to produce medical documentation, or treat pregnant employees differently from non-pregnant employees.”

The recent case of Symphony Deerbrook LLC serves as a reminder that pregnancy discrimination is illegal and can lead to costly lawsuits. Employers should review their policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), including providing reasonable accommodation to pregnant employees and treating them no differently than non-pregnant employees. By doing so, employers can create a workplace that is free from discrimination, ensuring a fair and equal environment for all employees.

Explore more

Robotic Process Automation Software – Review

In an era of digital transformation, businesses are constantly striving to enhance operational efficiency. A staggering amount of time is spent on repetitive tasks that can often distract employees from more strategic work. Enter Robotic Process Automation (RPA), a technology that has revolutionized the way companies handle mundane activities. RPA software automates routine processes, freeing human workers to focus on

RPA Revolutionizes Banking With Efficiency and Cost Reductions

In today’s fast-paced financial world, how can banks maintain both precision and velocity without succumbing to human error? A striking statistic reveals manual errors cost the financial sector billions each year. Daily banking operations—from processing transactions to compliance checks—are riddled with risks of inaccuracies. It is within this context that banks are looking toward a solution that promises not just

Europe’s 5G Deployment: Regional Disparities and Policy Impacts

The landscape of 5G deployment in Europe is marked by notable regional disparities, with Northern and Southern parts of the continent surging ahead while Western and Eastern regions struggle to keep pace. Northern countries like Denmark and Sweden, along with Southern nations such as Greece, are at the forefront, boasting some of the highest 5G coverage percentages. In contrast, Western

Leadership Mindset for Sustainable DevOps Cost Optimization

Introducing Dominic Jainy, a notable expert in IT with a comprehensive background in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain technologies. Jainy is dedicated to optimizing the utilization of these groundbreaking technologies across various industries, focusing particularly on sustainable DevOps cost optimization and leadership in technology management. In this insightful discussion, Jainy delves into the pivotal leadership strategies and mindset shifts

AI in DevOps – Review

In the fast-paced world of technology, the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and DevOps marks a pivotal shift in how software development and IT operations are managed. As enterprises increasingly seek efficiency and agility, AI is emerging as a crucial component in DevOps practices, offering automation and predictive capabilities that drastically alter traditional workflows. This review delves into the transformative