Legal Question in Employment Law in Alabama
breach of oral contract due to pregnancy
while performing research for NASA on a college fellowship at University of South Alabama I became pregnant in Jan 2004. I was told by the research advisor I could do my research from home after the baby was born in september. 4 days after the baby was born (Oct 3, 2004) he submitted paperwork terminating my research fellowship.He kept this information to himself and on Oct 20, 2004 he called and told me that if I didn't start coming up to the office for 20 hours a week he would suspend my fellowship.(But he had ALREADY suspended it 2 weeks before behind my back.)He then lied to the Dean of Engineering and told him I requested to withdraw due to the birth of my son.Because I was a student being paid by a fellowship I seem to fall somewhere between the EEOC and the DOE.Do I have any recourse for this situation?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: breach of oral contract due to pregnancy
Yes. Sounds like a serious problem, potentially. You cannot be discrmiinated against based on your pregnancy; there are violations of Title VII (employment) as well as Title IX (education). You need to get an attorney ASAP.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me or email me.
Sterling L. DeRamus
Attorney at Law
205-458-1100