FRESNO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Oct. 16 that Dash Dream Plant Inc., an orchid grower in Merced County, California, will pay $110,000 after allegations of pregnancy discrimination.
According to allegations, Dash Dream held staff meetings in which managers told female employees not to get pregnant. The managers purportedly made it known that female employees who became pregnant would be fired. Alleged conduct of this nature violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978.
In addition to monetary relief, which will go toward at least two former employees who were subjected to pregnancy discrimination, Dash Dream will update its policies to better comply with federal laws.
"We are encouraged by Dash Dream's acknowledgment of a woman's fundamental right to have children, and not lose her livelihood for that choice. The changes that will be put in place as part of this settlement will benefit not only women, but the workforce as a whole,” said Melissa Barrios, director of the EEOC's Fresno local office.
"We commend Dash Dream for resolving this complaint and for agreeing to put in place measures to help prevent future pregnancy discrimination in its workplace," said Anna Park, regional attorney for the EEOC's Los Angeles District.