A New Jersey nursing facility fired an employee on her second day of work after finding out that she was pregnant, the state’s attorney general alleged Wednesday.
Activity aide Taishan Smith contends that she told management at the South Jersey Extended Care Center about her baby bump on July 25, 2017. After the disclosure, she was told by her supervisor that it would be a liability for her to continue working at the Bridgeton, NJ, rehab and long-term care provider.
SJECC did not immediately respond to a McKnight’s request for comment Thursday. Officials with the facility had claimed that Smith was fired for failing to show up for work, NJ.com reported, though the former employee shared text messages with with investigators to back up her claims.
In an announcement, the AG’s office scolded the center for allegedly telling Smith not to return to work after the conversation.
“Stereotypes about what pregnant women can and cannot do harm women’s ability to participate as equals in the workforce,” Division on Civil Rights Director Rachel Wainer Apter said in the announcement. “Under the [New Jersey Law Against Discrimination], employers cannot make assumptions about a pregnant woman’s ability to perform her job duties or her commitment to her job.”
Based on its initial investigation, the Office of the Attorney General said it has found probable cause against the nursing facility, determining there is “sufficient evidence” to support suspicions that the provider violated the law. The finding of probable cause does not, however, resolve the civil rights complaint. The office next plans to schedule a conference between the two parties to see if it can be mediated, according to NJ.com.
