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Posted August 23, 2013
Mississippi Holiday Inn Franchisee Sued by EEOC for
Pregnancy Discrimination
Company Fired Employee Due to Pregnancy, Federal
Agency Charges
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Jiji, Inc., a Holiday Inn franchisee located in
Batesville, Miss., violated federal law when it fired an employee
because of her pregnancy, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit it filed on August 22, 2013.
According to the EEOC’s suit, Te’Shawn Harmon informed her manager
of her pregnancy on her first day of work. That evening, the
manager terminated Harmon and replaced her with a non-pregnant
employee, the EEOC said.
Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. The EEOC
filed suit, Civil Action No. 3:13-cv-00212, in U.S. District Court
for the Northern District of Mississippi, Oxford Division after
first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its
conciliation process. The suit seeks back pay, compensatory and
punitive damages, reinstatement and injunctive relief.
“Employers cannot penalize women for choosing to have a family,”
said Katharine W. Kores, district director of the EEOC’s Memphis
District Office, which has jurisdiction over Arkansas, Tennessee and
portions of Mississippi. “This agency will continue to work to
eliminate this type of discriminatory conduct.”
Jiji, Inc. is a Mississippi corporation based in Batesville that
owns, manages, and operates hotel facilities in Mississippi.
Travelers, the EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment
discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on
its web site at
www.eeoc.gov
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