Justices Revive Ex-UPS Worker's Pregnancy Bias Lawsuit
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- A former Maryland UPS worker gets the support of the Supreme Court in her discrimination fight. Peggy Young says she was forced to take unpaid leave when she became pregnant.
Christie Ileto explains why the high court's ruling offers hope for working women.
Young, who was working in Maryland at the time, lost twice in lower courts, sparking a nine year legal battle. But in a 6-3 ruling Wednesday, the Supreme Court is giving her another shot to prove her case.
A legal break for Peggy Young. The former UPS driver--then living in Annapolis--gets another chance to prove she was discriminated against when she was forced to take unpaid leave during her 2006 pregnancy.
A doctor suggested lighter duty, but UPS said she had to be able to lift up to 70 pounds.
Her case sparked protest.
"A woman should never have to decide between starting a family or supporting her family," Young said.
The Supreme Court says this time, Young must provide "...evidence her employer accommodates a large percentage of non-pregnant workers while failing to accommodate a large percentage of pregnant workers."
"This is a victory because the lower courts have held that Peggy couldn't compare herself to people she needed to compare herself to win this case. And the Supreme Court says that isn't right," said Young's attorney, Sharon Gustafson.
Ileto: "What do you say to critics, especially UPS, who says we didn't do anything wrong?"
Gustafson: "We believe they violated the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. She was willing to do her regular job or another job that UPS would give her, and they were willing to send her home."
A UPS spokesperson tells WJZ they're pleased with the ruling, and that the Supreme court rejected an argument that its pregnancy policy was discriminatory.
The case now going back to a lower court. The UPS says it is confident those courts will find it did not discriminate against her.
Still, for Young, Wednesday's ruling is a step in righting a nine year old wrong.
The UPS says it voluntarily changed its policy and now tries to accommodate pregnant workers.
No date has been set for the next trial.
