Miami
Lago Mar Resort Settles EEOC Lawsuit for $100,000 Over Pregnancy Discrimination
Background
MIAMI – Lago Mar Properties, Inc., operating as Lago Mar Resort & Beach Club, has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for $100,000. The lawsuit was brought under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), stemming from an incident involving the termination of an employee following a pregnancy-related medical event.
Allegations
According to the lawsuit, Lago Mar Resort terminated a female employee who had requested time off after experiencing a stillbirth in the fifth month of her pregnancy. The employee sought leave to recover both physically and emotionally from the traumatic event. The lawsuit alleged that Lago Mar failed to provide reasonable accommodations for her situation and instead dismissed her from her role. This alleged conduct violated the PWFA and the ADA, both of which prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy and disability in the workplace.
The EEOC pursued the lawsuit (Case No. 24-cv-61812) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida after attempting to resolve the issue through its administrative conciliation process.
Settlement
As part of the settlement agreement, Lago Mar will pay $100,000 in damages to the affected employee. The company has also committed to revising its employment policies to align with the requirements of the PWFA and ADA. Key elements of the settlement include:
- Appointing an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) coordinator to oversee compliance with anti-discrimination laws.
- Providing reasonable accommodations for pregnant and disabled employees under the PWFA and ADA.
- Conducting training sessions for all employees on their rights and obligations under these laws.
- Reporting any future complaints of discrimination directly to the EEOC.
Conclusion
This settlement highlights the importance of compliance with federal laws protecting pregnant and disabled workers. Employers are reminded of their responsibility to accommodate employees in need, ensuring a supportive and fair work environment. Lago Mar’s actions in revising policies and providing training demonstrate a step toward creating an inclusive workplace free of discrimination.