By Attorneys Hartman Chartered
Attorneys Hartman Chartered is pleased to announce that attorneys Katherine D. Hartman and Nicholas J. Gangemi successfully resolved a significant employment discrimination case, securing a settlement of $350,000.00 for their client. The case involved claims of discrimination in violation of the Pregnant Worker's Fairness Act (PWFA) under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) and retaliation in violation of the New Jersey Family Leave Act (FLA). Just ten days after her return from maternity leave, her employment was terminated. When she inquired about the reason for her termination, Plaintiff’s was told only that she was "not meeting the expectations of the role," with no further explanation provided.
The Case Details: Discovery Revealed The Pretextual Nature of The Termination
Attorneys Hartman Chartered exposed the pretextual nature of Plaintiff’s termination through extensive discovery and depositions of Defendant’s employees and C-Suite leadership. “The Pregnant Worker's Fairness Act and the Family Leave Act exist precisely to prevent employers from penalizing women for exercising their fundamental right to have children and take protected leave. We are pleased that this settlement provides our client with meaningful compensation and sends a clear message that such discriminatory conduct will not be tolerated in New Jersey workplaces” said Katherine D. Hartman, Managing Partner.
"The timing in this case speaks volumes. Our client informed her employer of her pregnancy, took legally protected maternity leave, and was fired just ten days after returning to work. When she asked why she was being terminated, she received only a vague statement about 'not meeting expectations' despite having no documented performance issues before her leave and no opportunity to generate any performance concerns in the ten days since her return. This case illustrates why the New Jersey Family Leave Act's anti-retaliation provisions are so critical. Employees should never have to fear losing their jobs simply because they took time off to care for a newborn child,” explained Nicholas J. Gangemi, Associate Attorney.
Workplace Retaliation After Protected Leave: Attorneys Hartman Chartered is Here to Help
If this case sounds familiar, you do not have to face the situation alone. Call Attorneys Hartman Chartered today at 856-393-6073or submit the online contact form to schedule a free consultation. We're here to help you understand what happened, evaluate your options, and take the next steps to protect your rights.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.