BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

Manager Fires Pregnant Woman Because of Upcoming Maternity Leave

The happy ending: He wound up resigning over the incident.
save article
profile picture of Stephanie Grassullo
By Stephanie Grassullo, Contributing Writer
Published August 27, 2018
pregnant woman sitting on couch using tablet
Image: Getty Images

We’ve heard about pregnancy discrimination in the workplace, but this one takes the cake.

Kameisha Denton did not get this support working at Jersey Mike’s, the popular sandwich chain in Washington state. After requesting the upcoming schedule from her manager, she was hit with a major bomb. Her boss fired her, saying, “it’s not a good time for us to have someone who is leaving for maternity leave in several months.”

Completely caught off guard, she turned to her Facebook friends for some help. “I usually don’t post personal things like this, but is this allowed?” she asked in the post.

To answer Denton’s question, no, it’s not allowed. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 bans discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, meaning her manager was completely in the wrong to fire her just because she’s a soon-to-be-mom.

Many rushed to her side to inform her of her rights and share messages of support.

“No this is highly illegal it’s discrimination. People have sued for this. Sorry you’re going through this love,” says one comment.

“This is highly illegal. The company would not stand behind that and I’m sure it would get dealt with quickly if this is how the managers run their stores. Social media is powerful,” advises another.

As it turns out, that user wasn’t wrong. Shortly after the post went viral, the store owner reached out to apologize on behalf of the company and offer her her job back. The icing on the cake? He let her know the manager resigned due to the incident, reports KOMO News.

Telling your boss you’re pregnant can sometimes be a tricky conversation to navigate—but with a little prep and strategy on your part, it doesn’t have to be.

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

pregnant woman getting checked by doctor
New York Could Be First State to Offer Paid Prenatal Leave
By Wyndi Kappes
postpartum mom caring for newborn baby at home
Moms Respond to Viral TikTok With What Maternity Leave Is Really Like
By Wyndi Kappes
These Are the 10 Best Cities Worldwide for Expectant Parents
These Are the 10 Best Cities Worldwide for Expectant Parents
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
meghan mccain from the view advocates for paid maternity leave in the U.S.
Meghan McCain Speaks Out Around the Need for Better Maternity Leave
By Nehal Aggarwal
pregnant woman laughing and sitting on bed at home
To-Dos for Planning Your Maternity Leave
By The Bump Editors
hoda kotb and jenna bush host the today show
All Parents Need to Hear Hoda Kotb’s Maternity Leave Advice for Jenna Bush Hager
By Stephanie Grassullo
Two colleagues discuss maternity leave plan
How to Turn Your Maternity Leave Into a Leadership Opportunity
By Robyn Stein DeLuca, PhD
ADVERTISEMENT
The 10 Hardest Things About Maternity Leave (and How to Deal)
The 10 Hardest Things About Maternity Leave (and How to Deal)
By Jenna McCarthy
meghan markle with prince harry is not making any more public appearances
The Next Time We See Meghan Markle May Be When the Royal Baby Arrives
By Stephanie Grassullo
skin to skin contact with mom and her newborn baby
Massachusetts Now Has the Most Generous Paid Family Leave in the US
By Laurie Ulster
ADVERTISEMENT
prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern gives birth
New Zealand PM Is Second Leader in History to Give Birth While in Office
By Laurie Ulster
pregnant woman telling employees at work that she's pregnant
How to Tell Your Workplace That You're Pregnant
By Celia Shatzman
Pregnant woman at work with tablet
Why Maternity Leave Should Be a 3-Part Plan
By Georgene Huang and Romy Newman
ADVERTISEMENT
empty office desk
What You Need to Know About FMLA
By Erin Walters
The Affordable Care Act and Your Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
The Affordable Care Act and Your Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
By Kylie McConville
Is Parental Leave Becoming a Boys Club?
Is Parental Leave Becoming a Boys Club?
By Christine Cordova
Bumpie Tip of the Week: Should You Take an Early Maternity Leave?
Bumpie Tip of the Week: Should You Take an Early Maternity Leave?
By Kylie McConville
ADVERTISEMENT
Checklist: What to Ask HR About Maternity Leave
Checklist: What to Ask HR About Maternity Leave
By The Bump Editors
Checklist: Maternity Leave
Checklist: Maternity Leave
By Paula Kashtan
Screwed Out of Maternity Leave!
Screwed Out of Maternity Leave!
By Elena Donovan Mauer
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.