Rocco's Pub to Pay $15,500 to Settle EEOC Pregnancy Discrimination Suit

Restaurant Demoted Employee Because of Her Pregnancy,  Federal Agency Charged

ATLANTA - Rocco's Pub, a Jasper, Ga.,  restaurant and bar operated by Ciorrocco's, Inc., will pay $15,500 to settle a pregnancy discrimination charge  brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency  announced today.

The EEOC  filed suit in August 2018, charging that Rocco's Pub violated federal law when  its owner demoted a pregnant employee from a bartender position to a lower-paying  server position, even though her pregnancy did not affect her ability to  perform the job of bartender.

Such alleged  conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the  Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). The EEOC filed suit (Equal Employment  Opportunity Commission v. Ciorrocco's, Inc. d/b/a Rocco's Pub, Civil Action  No. 2:18-cv-00133-RWS-JCF) in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of  Georgia, Gainesville Division after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation  settlement through its conciliation process.

The consent decree settling the suit  was signed by the court on Dec.15. In addition to the monetary relief, Rocco's  Pub agreed to create and implement an equal employment opportunity policy, provide  employment discrimination training to its management and non-management  employees, and post anti-discrimination notices at its restaurant. In addition,  the decree subjects Rocco's Pub to reporting and monitoring requirements.

"The EEOC takes pregnancy  discrimination seriously and will continue to protect the rights of expecting  employees," said Bernice Williams-Kimbrough, district director for the EEOC's  Atlanta District Office.

Antonette Sewell, regional attorney for the EEOC's  Atlanta District Office, added, "A pregnant woman's physical appearance alone  is never a sufficient reason for taking an adverse employment action against her  and depriving her of income. The agency is pleased that Rocco's Pub agreed to  resolve this case and to implement policies and further train its employees on  its obligations under Title VII. The employee in this case has been compensated  and the employer will be better equipped to respond the next time an applicant  or employee becomes pregnant."

The EEOC's Atlanta District Office oversees  Georgia and parts of South Carolina.

The EEOC  advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting  employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.   Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.