Pregnant Bartender Settles Discrimination Suit for $42K, Employer to Implement Anti-Discrimination Policy

A Texas bar, Corner Bar, has agreed to pay $42,000 to settle allegations of pregnancy discrimination brought by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The agency claimed the bar reduced an employee's work hours and fired her after she was hospitalized, believing she would be a "liability." The settlement requires the bar to adopt an anti-discrimination policy and train employees.

In a recent settlement, Corner Bar, a Texas-based establishment, has agreed to pay $42,000 to resolve allegations of pregnancy discrimination brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC claimed that the bar reduced an employee's work hours and ultimately fired her after she was hospitalized, believing she would be a "liability" [1].

The settlement requires Corner Bar to adopt an anti-discrimination policy and train its employees. The incident highlights the ongoing efforts by the EEOC to enforce the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which mandates accommodations such as time off and limits on heavy lifting for pregnant employees [1].

This settlement comes amidst a broader legal battle over the EEOC's interpretation of the PWFA. A federal judge in Louisiana recently struck down a portion of the EEOC's regulations that included abortion as a "related medical condition" of pregnancy, arguing that the law does not mention abortion and that the EEOC overstepped its authority [2]. The ruling, which has significant implications for women's reproductive rights and workplace accommodations, is part of a broader trend of legal challenges to the EEOC's abortion-related regulations.

The EEOC, under the Trump administration, has been facing a tumultuous period with the departure of Democratic commissioners and the appointment of a Republican majority. This shift has led to changes in how the agency interprets and enforces workplace civil rights laws, including the PWFA [2].

The settlement with Corner Bar underscores the importance of compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. As the legal landscape surrounding the PWFA continues to evolve, businesses should remain vigilant in ensuring their policies and practices align with these regulations.

References:
[1] https://apnews.com/article/abortion-workers-pregnancy-civil-rights-eb4bcc821c4932728fcd961757b50552
[2] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_L2N3OG0SJ:0-eeoc-s-biden-era-rule-on-abortion-protections-for-workers-struck-down-by-judge/