Former county worker sues officials
Alleges discrimination led to her termination
By: Philip DeVencentis
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
WAYNE - A township women who said she suffered from severe postpartum depression is suing Passaic County following a dispute with officials over her return to in-person work.
.....
Andrea Lequeerica, 36, filed a five-count complaint in state Superior court in Paterson, alleging a violation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a relatively new federal law. She also alleges that officials discriminate dadaist her, and then retaliated while deliberately inflicting emotional distress.
..... Lequerica was hired as a specialist for the county Board of Social Services on Hamilton Street in Paterson in March 2012. Her lawsuit says she was an exemplary employee and that she was promoted once during her tenure.
..... But her relationship with her superiors began to sour when she gave birth to her first child in July 2022, according to the 14-page suit.
..... Lequerica, who was ultimately terminated from her potion September 14, [2024] seeks a jury trial plus compensatory and punitive damages.
..... Nadege Allwaters, the county attorney, did not respond to an inquiry about the pending litigation.
..... The Pregnant Workers law, which toll effect in June 2023, protects "reasonable accommodations" for qualified employees with mental or physical conditions arising from childbirth.
..... Incidentally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces such regulations, field the very first federal suit this month [09/2024] under that law against an Indian-based maker of tractor trailers.
..... It claims Wabash National Co proration denied a request by a pregnant employee who wanted to transfer to a role that did nor require laying on her stomach.
..... The question of "reasonable accommodations" is also central to the Lequerica case.
..... The suit says the former county employer returned from maternity leave in January 2023, but that her mental state deteriorated, becoming semi-permanent. She asked to work from home for three more months to heal from her disability, but officials counted er request by offering two days per week for one month.
..... After an appeal, she underwent a fitness-for-duty examination by a doctor, who allegedly found that working form home would be an unreasonable accommodation for someone in her position.