An Ohio woman who claims she was fired from her job at a religiously-affiliated organization for having a baby while single has been awarded a settlement in her sex discrimination case.
The lawsuit, filed in 2013 on the woman's behalf by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and ACLU of Ohio, alleges that Jennifer Maudlin worked as a cook for the Springfield Christian-based childcare center, Inside Out, until she became pregnant. According to the complaint, Inside Out fired Maudlin on the grounds of an "unwritten company policy against non-marital sex." Because Maudlin was single at the time of her pregnancy, she was deemed in violation of this rule and terminated from her position.
Additionally, Maudlin's complaint accuses Inside Out of a pattern of discrimination toward specifically single or unmarried pregnant employees, glossing over the male workers who were known to have non-marital sex but were still allowed to keep their jobs.
"No one should be singled out, shamed or fired from their job for having a baby, regardless of marital status," Gale Sherwin, an ACLU Women's Rights Project senior staff attorney, said in a press release. "An organization's religious affiliate should not give it free rein to ignore laws against sex discrimination."
As part of the settlement, Inside Out will pay damages owed to Maudlin, as well as revise its company policy to ban pregnancy-based employee discrimination.
No one should have to face harassment at work over their personal life. If you believe you have been discriminated against by an employer or even fired because of your gender, marital status or pregnancy, contact The Meyers Law Firm. Our expert employment discrimination lawyers can assess your claim and fight for any compensation you may be entitled to.