EEOC Sues Florida Dental Company for Firing Employee After Learning She Was Pregnant

By Amanda Biondolino
Founder

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently filed a lawsuit against iPro Dental Laboratories, a Florida-based dental company, alleging that the company fired a newly hired office assistant just days after learning she was pregnant. The case highlights one of the most common and troubling forms of workplace discrimination: punishing workers for pregnancy or related medical conditions.

According to the EEOC’s complaint, iPro Dental Laboratories hired the employee in 2023 as an office assistant. Within her first week, she told her supervisor she was pregnant. Shortly afterward, she was terminated. The EEOC alleges that the timing and circumstances of her firing show that the company’s decision was based on her pregnancy, which is a clear violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). The PDA makes it unlawful for employers to fire, demote, or otherwise treat an employee unfavorably because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. 

Your Rights Under Federal and Florida Law

Under federal and Florida law, employees who are pregnant or recovering from childbirth have the right to:

• Be free from discrimination and retaliation based on pregnancy or related conditions.
• Continue working as long as they can perform their job duties.
• Request reasonable accommodations for medical needs related to pregnancy, such as additional breaks, schedule adjustments, or temporary job modifications.

Employers cannot terminate or penalize an employee simply because she is pregnant or might need accommodation in the future.

If you are pregnant and believe you were fired, denied an accommodation, or treated unfairly after disclosing your pregnancy, you have legal options. You can file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC or the Florida Commission on Human Relations, or consult an experienced employment attorney to discuss your rights and next steps. 

Schedule a consultation with Amanda today to learn how the law protects you and what steps you can take to hold your employer accountable.

About the Author

Amanda represents employees whose workplace rights have been violated, advocating for them in both federal and state courts, arbitration, civil service hearings and mediation. She also represents workers before administrative agencies, such as the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Additionally, Amanda assists workers in obtaining reemployment assistance (unemployment benefits) and otherwise helps clients understand their legal rights and obligations before a dispute arises.