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A Maryland plant nursery has agreed to pay $40,000 to settle a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lawsuit accusing it of discriminating against a pregnant worker by denying her job reinstatement after medical leave, court documents reveal.

Pregnancy Discrimination at the Center of the Case

The lawsuit, filed in September 2024, alleged that Kurt Bluemel Inc., a plant nursery, violated the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act when it refused to allow Daniela Alvarado to return to work after she took time off for pregnancy-related health issues.

Despite hiring six new employees, the company claimed there was "no work available" for Alvarado when she sought reinstatement, the EEOC stated.

Settlement Terms and Court Oversight

A consent decree filed in federal court on Friday outlines the terms of the agreement, which still requires court approval. Under the settlement, Kurt Bluemel Inc. is prohibited from engaging in pregnancy discrimination and must implement workplace training to ensure compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws.

EEOC’s Stance on Pregnancy Rights

The EEOC continues to crack down on violations of pregnancy-related protections in the workplace. This case serves as a stark reminder that employers cannot sideline workers for choosing to have a child.

With court-mandated changes on the horizon, the outcome of this settlement sends a message to businesses that pregnancy discrimination will not be tolerated.