Los Angeles Restaurant Sued by EEOC For Pregnancy Discrimination

LA Louisanne, a popular Los Angeles restaurant and jazz night club, fired an employee because of her pregnancy, according to a discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). According to the EEOC’s discrimination lawsuit, the restaurant cut a pregnant server’s hours after she announced she was pregnant and refused to let her return to work after she gave birth. The EEOC alleges that other employees at the restaurant have also been subject to discrimination because of their pregnancies. Pregnancy discrimination violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. The EEOC’s discrimination lawsuit seeks back pay, compensatory and punitive damages for the female employee and a class of similarly affected employees, as well as relief intended to prevent further discrimination at the restaurant. Employment attorneys for the EEOC’s said, “employers should be cognizant of their obligations under the law to maintain a workplace free of discrimination against employees who are expectant mothers. Women should not have to choose between their job or having children. Employers need to be aware that the EEOC takes pregnancy discrimination seriously and the agency will continue to protect the rights of pregnant employees.”