Accommodations Required for Pregnant Employees With Doctor Restrictions

The EEOC reported that Scottish Pines Rehabilitation and Nursing has agreed to pay $30,000 and other relief to settle a lawsuit that the EEOC brought against it alleging pregnancy discrimination.  The EEOC’s lawsuit alleges that the company provided accommodations to employees who suffered injuries or illnesses but refused to provide the same accommodations to pregnant employees who had work restrictions related to their pregnancy.  The lawsuit further claims that one of the company’s employees requested a 50-pound lifting restriction, but the request was denied.  The EEOC also alleged that the company refused a 20-pound lifting restriction from a different pregnant employee and that the company terminated her employment after she was unable to return to work without restrictions.  The alleged conduct is a violation of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which is an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  See EEOC v. Century Care of Laurinburg, Inc., No 1:18-cv-00170 (M.D.N.C.).   ​​