Refusal to Hire Pregnant Woman to Cost Company $$

A unanimous Washington Supreme Court has ruled that a southwestern Washington woman was wrongfully barred from getting a job as a clerk and checker because she was pregnant.

In 2001, Stacey Hegwine was offered a job at Longview Fibre Co. pending the results of a physical, the Daily News, of Longview, Wash., The only physical requirement was that she be able to lift 25 pounds. Her doctor cleared the weight limit, but the company raised it to 40. When the doctor cleared her to lift 40, the company raised the requirement to 60 pounds, the Associated Press reports.

The court ruled (PDF) that Fibre's weightlifting requirements were "clearly pretextual." The court further ordered that, in addition to a damages determination, she be awarded attorney fees.

Hegwine's case will now go back to a lower court to rule on damages. Her lawyer is seeking $340,000 in lost wages and emotional damages.