CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A local Massage Envy franchisee is being sued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over the alleged discrimination and unlawful termination of a pregnant employee.
The lawsuit alleges that CCR Wellness Investments, LLC, owned by Christian Roedlich of Huntersville, fired front desk associate Morgan McCloskey because she was pregnant.
McCloskey says she was hired to work in the Massage Envy University Area location in April 2013. She was scheduled to begin work on April 8th. The lawsuit says at the time of her hire, McCloskey didn’t know she was pregnant.
The lawsuit indicates that on or about April 3rd, McCloskey learned she was pregnant.
On her first day of work on April 8th, the lawsuit indicates McCloskey informed the Assistant Clinic Administrator that she was pregnant. She also allegedly told the Assistant Clinic Administrator that she had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for the morning of April 12th to confirm her pregnancy. McCloskey also allegedly requested to work afternoons and evenings because she was experiencing morning sickness. McCloskey says she was told she could work afternoons and/or evenings because the business was short staffed on all shifts.
On the morning of April 12th, McCloskey went to work and was called into a meeting with the Clinic Manager and Assistant Clinic Administrator. McCloskey was allegedly told there were no more hours available for her to work and her employment was terminated. The Clinic Manager is accused of telling McCloskey that “pregnant women should not be working.”
EEOC Charlotte District Office Attorney Lynette Barnes says, “No working woman should have to fear losing her job simple because she decides to have a child. ” She continues, “Employers must remember that terminating an employee because she is pregnant violates federal law, and the EEOC will enforce that law.”
The EEOC says it’s asking for back pay, front pay and/or reinstatement, compensatory damages and punitive damages for McCloskey, as well as injuctive relief.
WCCB has attempted to contact McCloskey and Roedlich multiple times, but has not heard back.
