Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Chairperson Stephen A. Glassman announced that the commission has ordered Fidelity Mortgage Services Inc. of Philadelphia, and company Vice President Alex Vulakh, to pay $17,405 plus interest to Megan LaBree of Philadelphia as compensation for pay lost after she was illegally terminated for being pregnant.
The Human Relations Commission, or PHRC, also ordered Fidelity to end their discriminatory practices.
The order followed a PHRC decision that Fidelity had illegally discriminated against Labree on the basis of her sex by terminating her because she was pregnant. Vulakh was found to have aided and abetted Fidelity’s discrimination. Pregnancy discrimination is illegal sex discrimination under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
“In spite of progress we have made, pregnant women still suffer illegal discrimination in the workplace,” Glassman said. “Women should know that Pennsylvania law protects them if they become pregnant and employers should recognize their responsibility to provide fair and equitable work environments.”
Labree alleged in a December 2006 complaint to PHRC that Fidelity terminated her upon learning she was pregnant after only one day on the job. A PHRC investigation found probable cause to credit her allegations and after attempts at conciliation were unsuccessful, PHRC held a public hearing on the matter in May 2008. At that point the findings of the PHRC investigation became public.
Fidelity and/or Vulakh were ordered to pay Labree the lump sum of $17,405 in back pay lost after her termination, with additional 6 percent interest calculated from the date she was terminated until payment is made.
The company has thirty days from the effective date of the order, today, to report to PHRC on how they will comply with the order.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission enforces Pennsylvania laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, disability and familial status. The commission’s jurisdiction extends to employment, housing, commercial property, public accommodation, education and the monitoring of community tension situations. Find us online at www.phrc.state.pa.us.
Source: Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission