Lawsuit alleges discrimination against employee

A lawsuit filed today in Oconee County alleges employment discrimination against the Oconee Disabilities and Special Needs Board, doing business as the Tribble Center.  Filed by a Greenville attorney, the suit identifies Megan Lowery as the plaintiff.  It alleges breach of contract, pregnancy discrimination, and retaliation for pregnancy.  According to the pleadings, Lowery was hired in January 2020 as a direct care staff employee, but in April that year found out she was pregnant and told her house manager.  It further alleges that she was told by her doctor that “she could not lift, push, or pull more than 25 pounds….”  When she notified her employer of the restrictions her doctor imposed, according to the lawsuit, “she was discharged because the Defendant alleged it ‘could not accommodate her’ and that she could not get FMLA (the Family and Medical Leave Act) due to her not being there for a year yet.”  A jury trial and damages are sought.