INVESTMENT FIRM SETTLES EEOC PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT

MayfieldGentry Fired Woman Right After Maternity Leave, Federal Agency Charged

DETROIT – MayfieldGentry Realty Advisors, L.L.C., a Detroit securities investment firm, has agreed to settle a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.  The EEOC had charged that MayfieldGentry violated Title VII of the Civil Rights of 1964 when it fired an employee because of her pregnancy. 

According to the EEOC's lawsuit (Case No. 2:08-cv-14105 filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan), in October 2006 Yvette Williams was hired as a receptionist / administrative assistant.  The EEOC said that on the second day of her employment, Williams advised her supervisor that she was pregnant.  A few months later, the EEOC said, MayfieldGentry hired Williams's replacement and required her to train the new employee.  Within a day after Williams returned from maternity leave, MayfieldGentry told Williams that her position had been eliminated and terminated her employment.

Under the consent decree settling the suit, MayfieldGentry agreed to train its managerial staff on Title VII's prohibition of pregnancy discrimination.  In addition, Williams will receive $25,000 in monetary compensation.   

"Title VII clearly protects every woman's right to be free from pregnancy discrimination," said Laurie Young, regional attorney for the EEOC's Indianapolis District Office, whose jurisdiction includes Michigan.  "No woman should lose her job simply because she decided to have a child."

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.  Further information about the Commission is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.