ACLU Files Complaint After Company Gives L.I. Woman Unpaid Leave Due To Pregnancy
RONKONKOMA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a complaint after a Long Island woman said she was forced to take unpaid leave due to her pregnancy.
Julie Desantis-Mayer was told by her doctor not to lift packages over 25 pounds because it could harm the baby.
Desantis-Mayer works at UPS. She told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall that instead of moving her to light duty, the company forced her to take unpaid leave.
"They had told me that they're not about to set a precedent giving females who are pregnant a light duty position," she said.
Desantis-Mayer told Hall this wasn't fair, and she was willing to keep working when she was pregnant.
Desantis-Mayer said being forced to take unpaid leave cost her $60,000.
Long Island Woman Files Complaint After Being Forced From Job Over Pregnancy
"So, as far as, like, spoiling your first child, I wasn't able to do that," she said. "I am looking for them to change their policy because it's just not right. It's morally wrong, what they're doing."
UPS said that it recently won a similar case in Maryland and told News 12 Long Island that it stands by its policies.
Desantis-Mayer gave birth to a healthy little girl named Madison on December 4. She told Hall she plans to go back to work next month.
