I am a 25 yo F nurse from Kentucky that was terminated In January 2006 due to my pregnancy. I had been having "difficulties" with my pregnancy since the day I found out I was pregnant (4weeks; terminated at approx. 3 months into pregnancy) After an ultrasound, on a Tuesday evening, the ultrasound revealed that I have a condition called "Placenta previa" (fancy term for the placenta blocking the birth canal). The doctor at that time issued a doctor's note stating that I was unable to "Lift or turn patients for one month due to Placenta previa" I went straight to my employer and turned the doctor's note into my house supervisor which stated, "This should be no problem. We always have 4 nursing assistants on the floor during your shift, and this really doesn't effect you since you do not lift the patients as a part of your job duties." The supervisor (with me as a witness) then attached a note to the statement stating the same thing he had told me, and put in the Staffing coordinator's mail box. The next morning I received a phone call from the Director of nursing stating that she would have to contact the home office to approve this note and to approve me to continue working my scheduled shift, and until she heard back from the home office, she would have to remove me immediately from the schedule. About 1 1/2 hours later, I called the director of nursing to ask how long it would be before she would hear from the home office and at that time, she stated, "Well, I talked to them and they said we can not accomodate you and have to immediately terminate your employment with our company." I was in shock, I said "Ok, but I really love working here, and I want to keep my job." She then repeated her above statement she started and said that I would be available for re-hire after my pregnancy. I was/still am so depressed. I had no intentions of leaving this employer, not before, during, or even after my pregnancy. I have since been released from any restrictions and am now having troubles being hired by other employers, after the prospective employers check my references. Is this legal? I have dealt with the fact I will no longer work at this nursing home, but can they fire me due to pregnancy? And can they give a poor reference? Has anyone else been terminated due to pregnancy...or pregnancy related issues?

Sorry message so long!!

How long have you been with them? It would be illegal to terminate you for being pregnant, but they could in some cases if you were unable to perform the work safely.

How do you know that your former employer is providing negative references on you? Have you reapplied with them now that you don't have restrictions?

I worked for the company for seven months. This particular company has a HUGE turnover rate for nurses, but for some weird reason, I loved it there and had no intention of leaving. The "restriction" my doctor put me on is not in my job description. The nurses are responsible for medication passes, treatments, and charting. The nursing assistants are the ones who actually have to lift and turn the patients.

I have been on several interviews, that have seemed to go very well. The prospective employer(s) give me every "hint" that they are interested in hiring me, and they say, " we are required to check you references, then we will call you in a day or two with our final decision." I then never hear back from them. I leave messages for them and never receive a return call.

Approx. how long would a lawsuit take---start to finish?

Thanks for your reply!

You would need to first file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which will investigate your complaint and, if necessary, issue you a right-to-sue letter.