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Sunday, March 30, 1997
Federal regulators: Pregnant women forced to
take unpaid sick leave
HOUSTON (AP) - A day-care center accused of discriminating
against pregnant workers is the target of a federal lawsuit, with
regulators saying other Houston employers also are forcing women
to lose money.
Three employees of Matthews Daycare and Training Center were
ordered to take unpaid sick leave when they became pregnant, according
to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
"This type of discrimination is reprehensible," said
Harriet Erlich, director of the EEOC's Houston District office.
"Pregnant working women frequently depend on this income
to pay their day-to-day living expenses."
The federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination
on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions
as unlawful sex discrimination.
Telephone numbers for Matthews Daycare and owner Isaac Matthews
were not listed and they could not be contacted by The Associated
Press.
But Matthews told the Houston Chronicle that he denies allegations
in the lawsuit.
The EEOC is seeking back pay along with compensatory and punitive
damages for Antoinette Shaw, Bridget Graves and Latrese Smith.
"In the Houston area, there is a continuing problem of
employers forcing pregnant women to take unpaid sick leave,"
said Rose Adewale-Mendes, EEOC supervisory trial attorney. "It
appears the defendant was partially motivated to terminate all
pregnant women working for him because of concerns over workers'
compensation injuries."
When Matthews learned that the three women were pregnant, he
took them off the work schedule, she said. Send a Letter to
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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