Florida employers are bound by several laws to provide specific benefits and accommodations to employees. Employees also have responsibilities and those include the performance of the job duties for which they are hired. When one party believes the other has not upheld their end of these agreements, action may be taken.
An example of this can be seen in the case of a former employee who is suing the medical clinic that she had worked for before allegedly being wrongfully terminated. Reports indicate that while pregnant, the employee was absent from work on multiple occasions. Physician’s notes were allegedly provided to the employer to explain the reason for the missed work. Not long after the absent experiences, the woman was fired. The reasons given included attendance at work and performance issues.
The employee is alleging that she was fired essentially because of her pregnancy and that her employer’s lack of accomodating her needs when pregnant is in violation of both the Florida Civil Rights Act as well as the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. It is not known if there were documented issues with the woman’s work performance prior to her becoming pregnant or missing work due to her pregnancy.
Situations like these can be very complex and every little detail can make a difference in the outcome. Talking with an experienced business attorney at this time may help people understand the best options and course of action.
Source: Florida Record, “Woman alleges ADCS Clinics wrongfully terminated her because of pregnancy,” Jenie Mallari-Torres, Dec. 7, 2016
