by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
A pregnant technician at cell phone chip manufacturer Maxim Integrated Products in Oregon, was fired for taking too many bathroom breaks. As a result, former employee Dawn Steckmann, has filed a pregnancy and sex discrimination lawsuit against her employer for more than $400,000.
Steckman, a 10 year veteran for Maxim Integrated Products, reportedly was told she did not have to “clock out” to go the bathroom with her prior first pregnancy. Notwithstanding, with her second pregnancy she was fired for failing to “clock out” which was said to be the same as “stealing.” Steckman reportedly had a medical condition with her bladder resultant from her first pregnancy, that necessitated more frequent and urgent bathroom visits. Steckmann maintains that she was never told she had to “clock out” and that she frequently would have been unable to do so without having an accident. Further, that no other co-workers were ever required to “clock out” to go to the bathroom.
In the United States, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, child birth or related medical conditions. The Act further requires that women who are pregnant or affected by a pregnancy related medical condition, be treated in the same manner as other co-workers with the same or similar abilities/limitations.
Unfortunately, today all kinds of prejudice still exists in the workplace and beyond. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act itself, is an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, from which we are now 50 years removed. “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union…” and in order to insure forward progress, must take a stand against all forms of prejudice and discrimination.
Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
www.liattorney.com
Mr. Lauto has primarily focused on personal injury throughout his career and previously worked as in-house counsel to a major insurance company. In 2002 Mr. Lauto established Paul A. Lauto, PLLC, with a primary concentration on personal injury, all types of accident cases, Wills, Trusts and Estates and more. Paul is the sole author of his Scales of Justice blog, which provides updates and information about current legal stories in the news and how they may affect our lives. Mr. Lauto prides himself on providing clients maximum results, with a high level of personal attorney service and attention that is uncommon in the profession. For more information please visit http://www.liattorney.com
