The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit on September 24 against a dental restoration product manufacturer in Florida claiming that the company violated U.S. law by firing a recently hired employee because she was pregnant.
The EEOC filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against iPro Dental Laboratory in Fort Lauderdale, FL, claiming it violated Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, including pregnancy. The suit was filed after a prelitigation settlement could not be reached through the commission’s administrative conciliation process, according to an EEOC press release dated September 24.
In January 2023, iPro Dental hired the woman, describing her as “perfect” for the office assistant position at its Fort Lauderdale location. iPro Dental terminated her a few days after learning she was pregnant, according to the press release. Prior to her termination, the woman had not been disciplined for her work performance, according to the press release.
“Unfortunately, discrimination against pregnant workers is a persistent problem,” EEOC Miami Regional Attorney Kristen Foslid said in the press release. “This lawsuit seeks to provide relief for the affected worker and to raise awareness for all employees and employers that pregnancy discrimination is unlawful.”
