RIF and pregnancy discrimination is this right?

In February of this year the job that I was hired for went down and was “supposedly” going to start back up in April of 2020. I asked my manager if I could take an voluntary layoff (I had just found out I was pregnant) he told me if I did I wouldn’t receive UI benefits because they could offer me other work which I accepted. July I was moved to a different department which required constant lifting and bending my supervisor emailed HR manager stating that I would sit down when line was down I explained to her that I was in my 2nd trimester of pregnancy and was having pains in my back. She told me I needed to get an excuse from my Dr and fax it over which I did, she then call my Dr office talked with a nurse and told the nurse she could not accommodate my Dr request. I then inquired about opening a charge with the EEOC because she had accommodated several other employees in the same situation. I then spoke with my Dr who was willing to change how many hours he recommended me to work. After being off of work for 3 days because HR was still “trying” to find somewhere to place me, I returned to work on a regular job lifting more than 20 pounds(despite my Dr request) but I never complained or said anything. Fast forward to August I was called into HR where I was handed a severance package, separation notice stating RIF. Myself and 9 other employees received package with myself and 2 other employees being on light duty and 1 of the other 2 also being pregnant on FMLA. I really feel like the company is discriminating because of my pregnancy. Even though I was placed on light duty I was assigned to a regular job doing all the same duties as my other coworkers(we would rotate jobs every hour) and I never complained. What makes me think it was discrimination is after I received my severance package for RIF the company STILL has 3 temporary employees on the same job that I was doing and I was a full time employee. I would just like to know if this sounds like discrimination or should I just sign severance package.

1 answer  |  asked Aug 21, 2019 11:30 PM [EST]  |  applies to Georgia

Answers (1)

Brad Dozier
Pope & Howard, P.C. is one of the premier litigation boutiques in the state. We represent clients in employment, personal injury, wrongful death and business/contracts cases. We are committed to helping individuals and families who have been injured and whose lives and livelihood have been affected by the careless, negligent or intentional actions of others. I handle most of the employment law matters at the firm. Please feel to call me at (404) 949-5600 (office) or (404) 840-6450 (cell) during or after regular business hours, including weekends, or you can e-mail me directly at bdozier@popehoward.com. I look forward to speaking with you when you have a break in your schedule.

posted by Brad Dozier  |  Aug 24, 2019 10:07 AM [EST]

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