Question

Kia works for Walleye Warehouse, LLC, ("WW") an online supplier of fishing gear. Kia works as a warehouse floor associate in WW's Grand Rapids, MI based warehouse. Her job responsibilities include stocking inventory, filling and boxing orders and carrying boxed order to WW's shipping docks for delivery. When placed on restrictions by her physician, Kia notifies WW she is pregnant. Kia requests WW honor the lifting restrictions imposed by her physician and presents appropriate documentation to WW management. Specifically, Kia asks that she not be required to carry the boxed orders she prepares to the shipping docks for delivery. Though she is unsure why, Kia notes that two of her coworkers, Phil and Maureen, do not carry their own boxes to the shipping docks. Otherwise, Kia assures management she can fulfill the remaining requirements of her job. WW denies Kia's request and indicates she will be terminated because she cannot perform the job of warehouse floor associate. Has WW violated the law? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Yes, WW has violated the law and the reasons provided below:

1. According to the pregnancy discrimination act (PDA) discriminating women unfavourably due to pregnancy, child birth or any other medical condition related to pregnancy would be against law.

2. If a women is temporarily not able to perform her duties due to pregnancy related medical conditions the employer must treat her with due respect like she has been treated before the pregnancy.

3. If medically advised, the employer must provide light duty, alternative job assignments, sick leaves, unpaid leaves etc for pregnant employees.

4. In the above case medically it is advice that Kia should not carry load as advised by the physician and even after producing medical reports, WW was not boughter or concerned the same.

5. Asking her to do her routine heavy duty work is not only inhumane but alos against law.