Allied Universal to Pay $110,000 to Settle EEOC Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Security Associates, Inc., a security company doing business as Conshohocken, Pa.-based Allied Universal, has agreed to pay a uniformed security guard $110,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today. Allied Universal provides security services nationally and internationally.

In its lawsuit, the EEOC charged that Allied Universal transferred a security guard at a Baton Rouge location to a more strenuous post after it became aware that she was pregnant. When the guard told Allied Universal that the new post was causing her pain, the company told her to obtain a doctor’s note rather than returning her to her initial post. The guard provided the note, and Allied Universal placed her on involuntary leave. The company then told the guard that she needed another doctor’s note releasing her to return to work. The guard provided this note, but Allied Universal kept her on leave for over a month and then fired her.

Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including pregnancy. The EEOC filed its suit (Civil Action No. 2:20-cv-02467) in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana last year. Under the three-year consent decree settling the suit entered March 5, 2021, Allied Universal will pay the security guard $110,000 in back pay and damages and will also conduct training and provide regular reports to the EEOC.

“Employers must work with, not against, employees who are pregnant,” said Rudy Sustaita, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Houston District Office.

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.