Posted on 08/05/2005 4:45:37 PM PDT by markomalley
Because of various health issues, April Thompson said she had reason to believe she might never have a child.
When she got pregnant, the joy she wanted to share with her employer quickly turned sour when, she said, her boss demanded that she get an abortion or risk losing her job.
Thompson's attorney, Ed Buckley, said the woman eventually was fired by Piedmont Management Associates, a homeowners association management firm, for refusing to get the abortion.
Thompson recently filed a lawsuit in Fulton County Superior Court against the company and its president, Celia Ebert, on grounds of discrimination and emotional duress. "We believe that the conduct of forcing a women to get an abortion falls into intentional infliction of emotional distress," Buckley said.
Ebert's attorney, Benjamin I. Fink, said his client would not comment on the lawsuit.
"Ms. Ebert and Piedmont Management categorically deny Ms. Thompson's allegations," Fink said in a statement. "Piedmont Management is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment practices."
Thompson could not be reached for comment. Buckley said she is on doctor-ordered bed rest and is due to deliver in the fall.
According to the suit, Thompson began working at Piedmont Management Associates in April 2002 and was promoted to closing director and director of administrative services in fall 2003. Buckley said things were going so well for Thompson that in May 2004, Ebert gave her a loan with the promise that a raise was forthcoming. In June, she got the raise and began paying back the loan, Buckley said.
But on a personal level, Thompson was suffering from endometriosis, and a doctor recommended a hysterectomy to handle the condition, which can lead to severe pain and infertility.
Thompson, 30, sought a second opinion from a fertility doctor and decided on laparoscopy surgery. According to the lawsuit, when Ebert found out Thompson was seeing a fertility doctor, she told her she was "worried that she was trying to get pregnant."
"If you get pregnant, you will have to move because I am not putting up with any babies around here and you also won't have a job," the lawsuit says Ebert told Thompson. "The guys and I do not even hire single mothers because of the problems. I know you have some great delusion that you will be a great mother, but you won't you can't even take care of your dog."
In December 2004, Thompson's doctor told her laparoscopy surgery did not address her medical condition and recommended the hysterectomy. Thompson said Ebert agreed to give her medical and vacation time for the procedure. On Jan. 24, Thompson went in to schedule her hysterectomy and was told she was pregnant. According to the lawsuit, when Ebert found out, she demanded that Thompson get an abortion.
Fink, Ebert's attorney, said Ebert "and Piedmont Management intend to vigorously defend Ms. Thompson's claims and are confident that through the legal process Ms. Thompson's allegations will be shown to be completely false."
It takes a properly snitty person to manage a HOA. Sorry, this lady didn't qualify for that.
I thought it was all about choice?
Piedmont Management Associates, LLC
1389 Peachtree Street NE Suite 350
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone - (404) 872-8468
Fax - (404) 724-0189
Just damn.
If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...
If this is true, the boss should lose her job.
I bet the liberals love this idea!
I suspect there is a LOT more to the story - because if it is true as represented by the plaintiff - the defendant is in DEEP DOO-DOO.
But this story just doesn't pass the smell test to me...
A hysterectomy can lead to infertility? Who'd a thunk!
then I would agree.
I agree.
But, I wonder if anyone has been fired for having an abortion?
I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around this since the woman's claim is so unbelievable.
I mean, seriously, in today's litigious America, is it possible any boss will demand her staff get an abortion or lose their job?
Was she actually fired for refusal? No. All she's claiming is her boss threatened to fire her if she doesn't get an abortion.
I dunno, something doesn't smell right.
I wish I took "diplomacy 101"
pro life ping
I agree. It would be better to see some additional information before taking this tale at face value. The allegations are so out there I have a hard time believing them.
Phil Hendrie wrote this, didn't he?
sam@piedmontmanagement.com | |
Phone | (404) 872-8468 |
Fax | (404) 724-0189 |
Mailing Address | Piedmont Management Associates, LLC 1389 Peachtree Street NE Suite 350 Atlanta, GA 30309 |
I agree, something stinks. It is employer 101 that you can not fire a woman for being pregnant. Not to mention that if you have over 50 employees there is the family leave act.
I suspect the plaintiff lawyer made a press release to seek some self promotion PR.
He didn't fire her, probably knew he couldn't. I remember when her baby was born that was the prettiest baby I have ever seen. She looked like her Mother who was also a looker. Every time I saw that baby, I thought of that manager.
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