The Dallas Observer reports that a woman is suing Halliburton for allegedly being fired because of her pregnancy. This is from the court documents:
In 2008, she was transferred to Texas and worked as an administrative associate in the dispatch office at the Alvarado Camp. Although a good, dedicated and productive employee, she was terminated on June 3, 2009, when she apparently violated the company’s policy against procreation.
According to the woman’s attorney, Todd Kelly — who claims Halliburton is a bad place for women to work, generally — Lynda Darden told her supervisor about her pregnancy in March and was terminated in June “as part of a general lay-off.” However…
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To her knowledge, Lynda was the only employee “laid off” in her area even though there were five employees who had less experience in that position than she did. None of those employees was pregnant. Thus, the company retained employees in the same or similar positions with less qualifications who were not in the protected class…
Halliburton then advertised her position immediately after she was laid off.
Making it easier for women to choose life isn’t simply about providing counseling, shelter, and diapers. Sometimes, it involves making employers stop punishing women for getting pregnant. As long as maternity is viewed as a problem, women will feel greater pressure to make sure they stay child-free.