Beehive of Vernal to Pay $22,000 to Settle EEOC Pregnancy Discrimination Suit

Federal  Agency Charges Two Women Discharged Over Pregnancies

PHOENIX  – Beehive of Vernal, Inc., which operates nursing homes in Vernal, Utah, has agreed to pay  $22,000 and furnish other relief to settle a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit  filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal  agency announced today.

According to the EEOC's lawsuit, Beehive's owner offered an  assistant manager's job to a replacement upon learning of the assistant  manager's pregnancy, repeatedly asked her when she planned to stop working, and  subjected her to closer scrutiny, ultimately compelling her to quit. The EEOC also charged that Beehive's owner repeatedly  asked another assistant manager when she planned to stop working upon learning  of her pregnancy, demoted her, and ultimately stopped scheduling her for work,  effectively terminating her.

Pregnancy discrimination violates  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the   Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). The EEOC filed suit, EEOC v. Beehive of Vernal, Inc., 11CV00919SA, in U.S. District  Court for the District of Utah in Salt    Lake City on Sept. 29, 2011, after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation  settlement through its conciliation process.

In addition to the monetary settlement, Beehive has  agreed, among other things, to provide its employees, supervisors, managers and  human resources employees with annual training for three years on pregnancy discrimination,  and to make periodic reports to the EEOC.

"Beehive is to be commended for addressing this case in a  direct fashion and for working with our Denver Field Office to institute  measures to modify its practices and prevent discrimination based on pregnancy,"  said EEOC Regional Attorney Mary Jo O'Neill of the Phoenix District, which  includes Utah. "The EEOC also appreciates Beehive's  commitment to better train and educate its management team and work force. We believe this agreement will help promote a  discrimination-free workplace going forward."

EEOC Phoenix District Director  Rayford Irvin added, "Pregnancy discrimination is a form of sex  discrimination. The EEOC is steadfast in  its commitment to assist victims of all forms of employment discrimination."

The EEOC enforces federal laws  prohibiting employment discrimination.  The Phoenix District Office covers Utah,  Colorado, Arizona,  Wyoming and part of New Mexico.  Further information is available on the EEOC's website at www.eeoc.gov.