EEOC SUES HILTON GRAND VACATIONS FOR PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION

Better Qualified Former Employee Denied Jobs Because of Pregnancy, EEOC Charges

MIAMI – Hilton Grand Vacations Company, LLC, a division of Hilton Hotels Corporation, violated federal law when it refused to hire a former employee because of her pregnancy, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit it filed today.

According to the EEOC's suit, EEOC v. Hilton Grand Vacations Company, L.L.C., Case No. 6:09-cv-01673-GAP-DAB, filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, a former employee who worked as a recruiter for Hilton in Orlando was repeatedly passed over for numerous positions after she resigned due to a pregnancy-related medical condition.  The EEOC says that although Hilton promised to rehire the former employee after she gave birth, Hilton passed her over in favor of other, less qualified, candidates.

Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.  The EEOC filed the lawsuit after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement with Hilton Grand Vacations.

EEOC Acting Regional Attorney Michael J. O'Brien said, "Women should not lose employment opportunities because of pregnancy.  It is unacceptable for an employer to consider pregnancy, or pregnancy-related conditions, when making hiring decisions." 

Hilton Grand Vacations Company, LLC has locations throughout the United States and sells vacation packages, time shares, management services and vacation exchanges. 

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

The EEOC Miami District Office is responsible for processing charges of discrimination, administrative enforcement and litigation in Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.  The Miami District Office has a Field Office in Tampa and a Local Office in San Juan.