NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Nov. 29 that R. Siskind & Company Inc., an apparel company in Manhattan that does business as Siskind Group, will pay $50,000 after allegations of pregnancy discrimination.
"This case exemplifies the EEOC's commitment to enforcing the law's protections for women in the workplace, including pregnancy and childbirth,” said EEOC New York district director Kevin Berry.
According to the EEOC, a customer service employee of Siskind Group was fired due to her pregnancy, childbirth and related medical condition. The employee took medical leave after the childbirth and complications. When she later attempted to return to work, Siskind Group purportedly told her she no longer had a position. The EEOC contends the reasons the company gave for her termination were a pretext for discrimination.
"We are pleased that because of this settlement, Siskind Group will institute policies and provide training so that its management will better recognize and protect the rights of women in the workplace going forward," said EEOC regional attorney Jeffrey Burstein.
The EEOC’s New York District Office oversees agency operations in New York, northern New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.