ABC Pest Control, Inc. Conciliates Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Charge

TAMPA, Fla. - ABC Pest Control, Inc., which provides residential and commercial pest control services across five counties in Florida, entered into a conciliation agreement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to resolve a pregnancy accommodation charge, the federal agency announced today.

In the charge, an employee alleged that ABC Pest Control fired her after she requested a reasonable accommodation to attend monthly medical appointments for her pregnancy. The termination violated the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which went into effect on June 27, 2023.

As part of the conciliation agreement, ABC Pest Control will provide $47,480 in damages to the former employee. In addition, the company will appoint an EEO coordinator, revise its employment policies to include making reasonable accommodations under the PWFA, provide training to both management and non-management employees, and provide quarterly reporting on requests for accommodations and complaints of discrimination.

"We appreciate ABC Pest Control's willingness to take steps to provide accommodations to pregnant employees," said Melissa Castillo, systemic coordinator and trial attorney for the EEOC's Miami District. "With the training and policy changes implemented by the company, we are confident that going forward, pregnant employees will be able to request and obtain reasonable accommodations."

EEOC Tampa Field Office Director Tamra Schweiberger said, "The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act ensures that pregnant workers can obtain reasonable accommodations and stay healthy and attached to the workforce. It is imperative that all employers look at their policies and implement changes to ensure pregnant employees are protected."

The EEOC's Miami District Office is comprised of the Miami, Tampa and San Juan offices, and has jurisdiction over Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The EEOC prevents and remedies unlawful employment discrimination and advances equal opportunity for all. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.