Sailormen, Inc. / Popeye’s Conciliates EEOC Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Charge

MIAMI – Sailormen, Inc., doing business as a Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits in Orange City, Florida, has agreed to conciliate a federal charge alleging violations of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.

According to the EEOC’s charge, upon learning that an employee was pregnant, Sailormen, Inc. fired her because it believed that she would need accommodations to perform her job duties. Such alleged conduct violates both Title VII and the PWFA, which requires employers, absent undue hardship, to provide reasonable accommodations to workers affected by pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.  

As part of the conciliation agreement, Sailormen, Inc. agreed to pay compensation to the former employee; provide training to all employees on pregnancy discrimination; appoint an EEO coordinator to ensure that the company’s revised policies and practices are aligned with the requirements under the PWFA and other laws protecting pregnant workers; and annually report any complaints of discrimination to the EEOC.

“The PWFA gives pregnant workers access to accommodations and enables them to work and maintain a healthy pregnancy,” said EEOC Regional Attorney Kristen Foslid. “We recognize Sailormen’s initiative to implement reforms to its policies and practices in order to prevent this form of discrimination in the future.”

Miami District Director Evangeline Hawthorne said, “We appreciate Sailormen’s willingness to enter into a conciliation agreement with the EEOC. Pregnancy discrimination in the workplace remains widespread and this charge underscores the importance of training managers about their legal obligations towards employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition.”     

The PWFA went into effect June 27, 2023; resources for employees, employers, and healthcare providers are available at: https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-pregnant-workers-fairness-act. For more information on pregnancy discrimination, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/pregnancy-discrimination.

News releases on the most recent PWFA lawsuits can be read here and here. You can read about a recent PWFA-based EEOC conciliation here.

The Miami District Office’s jurisdiction includes Florida, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

The EEOC prevents and remedies unlawful employment discrimination and advances equal opportunity for all. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.