The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced that a Maryland-based hospitality business, Savage River Lodge, has agreed to pay $150,000 and provide additional relief to settle a pregnancy discrimination and retaliation case. The Frostburg-based company offers cabins for rent and operates a restaurant for lodge guests.
Savage River Lodge’s behavior was in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act after failing to provide an employee with necessary accommodations during her pregnancy and terminating her employment after she disclosed her miscarriage.
The settlement serves as a reminder to employers that they must comply with anti-discrimination laws and provide accommodations to pregnant employees as required by law. In addition to the monetary settlement, Savage River Lodge has agreed to take steps to ensure that similar incidents of discrimination and retaliation do not occur in the future.