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Firm that withdrew job offer to woman who just had baby sued by EEOC

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Firm that withdrew job offer to woman who just had baby sued by EEOC

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit against a technology company that withdrew a job offer after learning the candidate had just given birth to a baby, the agency said Thursday.

Christine Rowe successfully completed a telephone and in-person interview with technology firm Savi Technology Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia, and was offered the human resources director position she had applied for, said the EEOC in its statement

But the day after Savi extended the job offer, Ms. Rowe disclosed to the company vice president and general counsel, who was to be her direct supervisor, that she had recently given birth and had had surgery related to her pregnancy, and the job offer was rescinded the following day, the EEOC said.

Savi Technology was charged with violating Title VII of the Civil Rights act of 1964, as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the EEOC said.

“When an employer learns that a newly hired, or long-term employee, is pregnant, removing that individual from the job is highly suspect. That Ms. Rowe had a newborn does not disqualify her from protection under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, as it covers mothers of infants,” said EEOC Philadelphia District Office regional attorney Debra M. Lawrence in a statement.

A company spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment.

Last month, the EEOC said it had reached a $30,000 settlement with a pet food manufacturer that fired a lab technician an hour after learning she was pregnant, citing safety concerns for both mother and baby.

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