Smithfield Fresh Meats Corp., which operates the world’s largest pork processing facility in Tar Heel, North Carolina, is facing a federal lawsuit that claims discriminating against a pregnant employee, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The EEOC accuses Smithfield violated federal law by not providing a reasonable accommodation for pregnancy-related medical restrictions, by allegedly forcing the worker onto unpaid leave, and ultimately firing her.
According to the lawsuit, the employee notified Smithfield of her pregnancy shortly after being hired. Following a workplace accident, she developed complications that required medical treatment. Her doctor imposed restrictions, including a lifting limitation, which she reported to her employer. Instead of granting a reasonable accommodation, the EEOC lawsuit says Smithfield told her the company does not provide pregnancy-related accommodations. The employee was placed on unpaid leave and dismissed two weeks later…