Earlier today, the EEOC sued the owner of a Massage Envy in Charlotte for firing a pregnant woman last year.
The former employee, Morgan McCluskey, filed a complaint with the EEOC saying she was fired in April 2013. According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, McCluskey was hired to work at the front desk of the University City-area Massage Envy at the beginning of that month.
On April 3 – after she was hired but before she started work – McCluskey discovered she was pregnant. She started work five days later, and told her supervisor about the pregnancy, the EEOC said.
On April 12, after a doctor’s test formally confirmed her pregnancy, McCluskey was called in to see two managers and was fired, according to the complaint. “The clinic manager told McCluskey that pregnant women should not be working,” the EEOC wrote.
The EEOC tried to reach a settlement with franchise owner Christian Roedlich before filing the lawsuit, but failed. It's now seeking back pay and damages for McCluskey, along with an injunction against further discrimination. Lynette Barnes of the Charlotte EEOC is handling the case, and said in no uncertain terms that the EEOC believes the franchisee violated the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which bars discrimination against pregnant employees.
Neither Roedlich nor Massage Envy's national headquarters have commented so far.