School Teacher Awarded $171,000 for Pregnancy Discrimination

A federal jury in Ohio ruled in favor of a teacher who said that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati discriminated against her after becoming pregnant through artificial insemination. The jury awarded her $171,000. The Archdiocese argued that it was legally allowed to fire her for violating church doctrine against artificial insemination. The teacher taught computers for the school; she did not teach religion or Catholicism. The teacher contended that she was fired for being pregnant and unmarried, violating pregnancy discrimination law. This case shows that church doctrine does not trump federal antidiscrimination laws.

About the Author

Tom McKinney is an experienced NJ Employment Lawyer in all major areas of labor and employment law, including discrimination, harassment, overtime violations, wage and hour claims, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, LAD, FLSA, and all other employment law claims. Tom is admitted to practice in the States of New Jersey and New York, United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Southern District of New York, District of New Jersey, and United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Prior to forming the firm, Tom practiced at Gibbons P.C. in Newark, NJ. If you have any questions regarding this article, contact Tom here today.