Thursday, April 26, 2018

The 7th nominee for the “worst employer of 2018” is … the pregnancy provoker


Kayla Edwards worked as a cashier for Aramark at its location in Gettysburg National Park.

In February 2017, Edwards became pregnant with her third child.

That’s when her troubles at work began, at least according to Edwards’ lawsuit [pdf] (filed earlier this week in federal court in Pennsylvania).

Immediately upon hearing of the pregnancy, Edwards’ supervisor, Suzanne Curtian, is alleged to have called her “dumb.”

The alleged harassment when downhill from there:
  • While Edwards was experiencing pregnancy-related complications, Curtian allegedly expressed: “Well hopefully it’s just a tumor or something and you were wrong about the pregnancy. Nothing cancerous, just something they can remove and you can move on.” 
  • As the complications progressed, Curtian allegedly commented, “Maybe you’re miscarrying. If so, that’s just God’s will and what’s best. And then you won’t have to worry about another kid or having to leave [work].” 
  • Approximately nine weeks before Edwards’ scheduled C-section, Curtian allegedly instructed her to “keep [her] legs crossed,” so that she could continue working as long as possible.

Two weeks later, Curtian accused Edwards of theft and fired her.

If you call an employee’s pregnancy a “tumor” and tell her “keep you legs crossed” to remain at work longer, you might be the worst employer of 2018.