Gender Discrimination no longer exists? Then why was a Fired Pregnant Woman told to "Suck Belly In"?

Question

In an article titled: Lawsuit Claims Fired Pregnant Woman Was Told To 'Suck Belly In' :

A plastic surgery office discriminated against a pregnant secretary who was fired after being told to suck in her belly so she wouldn't scare away patients, government lawyers charged in an anti-discrimination lawsuit filed Wednesday.

An employer cannot fire a pregnant employee based on outdated and speculative fears regarding how patients might react to her pregnancy," EEOC Regional Attorney Jacqueline McNair said in a statement.

Will this pave the way for men be asked to suck their bellies in, for fear that they'll scare clients away? Oh my.

I keep hearing how gender discrimination doesn't exist, but then these pesky cases appear-do you think pregnant women should be fired for having big bellies? What's next, pregnant woman will be fired for swollen ankles?

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/14211563/detail.html

Quite a few people in this forum DO think that gender discrimination doesn't exist. Or they say that since laws EXIST to enforce pay equity and protect the rights of pregnant women, that it rarely occurs.

We have lots of laws on the books that are disregarded every day, and only a few are enforced, based on what the powers that be think is important. Unfortunately, pay equity and pregnant working women's treatment are NOT important to this administration nor many others, so it is rarely being enforced. Just because the law is broken, doesn't mean that anything is done about it.

Many take the short view, and think it's good for business to pay peole as poorly as possible and get rid of anyone who will inconvenience them in any way. I think if you treat your employees fairly, you'll get better employees and good morale, but that is not a popular view in this society.

Answer 1

I think this goes a little beyond gender discrimination and gets into hardcore sexism. For those who say it isn't because cosmetic surgery businesses have aesthetic standards I would ask what secretarial duties have to do
with looks or physiognomy? You get hired for your skills not
a certain look. Hasn't it always been that way?
Furthermore, where does that end. Do you fire the male doctors for love handles, spare tires, or male pattern baldness? Also, it denotes that this particular doctor has a pathologically diseased mind. He is the type who believes that pregnant women should not be seen. In his mind procreation is an ugly thing. I pity his wife if he has one.

Answer 2

The local Walmart held a meeting a couple of months ago for some of their staff telling them that business had been down and that they would have to go on part time hours or be let go. The only people in this meeting were elderly or pregnant women. It is not uncommon for industries to discriminate against people when they feel they have become a burden or are not as productive. Then there is the issue of insurance and who is costing the company payouts. However, this issue should be important to everyone since we'll all be old someday, and to women because we are being hit long before we become elderly. Pregnancy is a given, it has always been around and will continue to be around.

Answer 3

This is both ridiculous and deeply saddening. The contempt being shown to a pregnant woman when she ought to be treated with extra consideration both for what she's going through and for the sacred part she's playing in the life of our species is absolutely, irredeemably sick.

Anyone who denies that sex discrimination still exists is delusional. It may well be that we have laws adequate to deal with such discrimination and perhaps even that we don't need more, but we certainly do need to conscientiously enforce the ones we have, as has been done here.

Answer 4

Where are all the responses from those equalist men who say women have economic protection!

Every single person understands a pregnant woman's body shape. It has nothing to do with a face lift! I think this guy shoul lose all of his female patients.........

Answer 5

If this story is true to fact then they deserve to be sued. Pregnant women are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as the EEOC.

Answer 6

That's amazing! I see fat, ugly men in various businesses all the time, and for some reason, no one seems to bat an eyelash! The double standard is alive and well! I hope this woman takes them to the cleaners!

Answer 7

Fortunately for her -- if she's truthful -- as a member of a "protected class," she has the protection of the law on her side, which is more than have men (or homosexuals) who are sexually discrimated against.

Unfortunately for the employer -- if she's lying, which is equally likely, if not more so -- he will bear the presumption of guilt and she will have all the sympathy, for which he will probably have to settle to avoid protracted government persecution, litigation and legal fees, and loss of good will and reputation. You see already how he's being convicted in the media, not to mention right here and now.

Answer 8

What makes me so upset about these stories is that these "employers" are sending the message to other women that if they want to keep their jobs, they better stay un-pregnant. They are punishing women for perpetuating the species. If thats not gender discrimination, what is?

Answer 9

If a doctor, any kind of doctor, said "suck in your belly" to a pregnant woman, I wouldn't want him cutting on my face!

Answer 10

"Oh, my God, that receptionist is pregnant! MAN THE LIFEBOATS!"

If attitudes like this keep up, pregnant women won't be allowed to leave their homes. Do these idiots employers honestly think that women will mistake a pregnancy for fat? And even if they do, why should it matter to them?