The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said a Clearfield restaurant has agreed to pay $30,000 and provide other unspecified relief to settle a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit.
Tepanyaki of Clearfield agreed to provide the compensation to resolve the case, filed by the EEOC in April on behalf of Alison Woodbury, who was hired in February 2006 to work at the company's steak house and sushi bar.
But while Woodbury was in training, the EEOC alleged, Tepanyaki discovered she was three to four months pregnant and fired her.
Woodbury, who later gave birth to a girl, complained to the EEOC. The federal agency filed suit against the eatery in U.S. District Court for Utah, claiming its actions violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964's prohibition on employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin or sex, including pregnancy and sexual harassment.
"Under federal law, employers must permit pregnant employees to work as long as they are able to perform their jobs," said Mary Jo O'Neill, EEOC regional attorney in Phoenix. "All workers, including pregnant employees, deserve fairness in the workplace. Women should not lose employment opportunities because of pregnancy."
A consent decree settling the lawsuit was signed by Judge Ted Stewart. EEOC trial attorney Meenoo Chahbazi said the fine will go to Woodbury and that Tepanyaki will train employees about sex and pregnancy discrimination.
Tepanyaki officials were not available Monday to comment on the settlement, an employee said.
