The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a lawsuit against Family Dollar Stores of North Carolina, alleging the company illegally fired a pregnant employee who requested time off for medical care.
According to the EEOC, an employee at a Greenville Family Dollar store experienced pregnancy-related complications on New Year's Eve 2024. The agency said her doctor referred her to a high-risk clinic and recommended she remain off work until an appointment several days later.
The lawsuit alleges the store manager demanded a doctor's note that same night and fired the employee when she was unable to provide one.
The employee later learned she had miscarried, according to the EEOC.
The agency alleges Family Dollar violated federal protections for pregnant workers. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages and changes to workplace practices.
Family Dollar did not respond to a request for comment from WFAE.
