2008 Woodie Awards
Woman sues UI for firing
Olivia Moran - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Metro
Discrimination complaints in the UI are some of the most common, officials said, but one unique type of discrimination recently entered the legal system.
In a civil lawsuit filed in late February, an ex-university employee contended that she was unfairly terminated from her position as a a research assistant and project coordinator in the UI radiology department for a single reason - she was pregnant. In 2007, the UI's Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity received only two such allegations, reports show.
However, the number of discrimination complaints as a whole in 2007 was not as low.
"There are more complaints of discrimination than there are on any basis," said Tiffini Stevenson Earl, the Equal Opportunity Office compliance specialist.
In 2007, the year's complaints were based on 75 allegations of discrimination, harassment, or other policy violations, according to an annual report of complaints filed. The most common was discrimination because of a disability.
( Daily Iowan TV video feature )
In the UI's most recent lawsuit, Rhonda Bender claims she was treated differently once her she announced she was pregnant. She contends that her supervisors expressed concern about her work and the department's studies because of her pregnancy.
Bender's attorney wrote in a complaint that she was soon "left out of important research meetings" and that her ideas "were no longer taken seriously."
Her supervisors repeatedly expressed concerns that a new mother would be unable to perform research duties, she wrote. Witnesses allegedly overheard the Bender's superiors expressing concerns about her calling in sick because "babies get sick," the complaint showed.
In a civil lawsuit filed in late February, an ex-university employee contended that she was unfairly terminated from her position as a a research assistant and project coordinator in the UI radiology department for a single reason - she was pregnant. In 2007, the UI's Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity received only two such allegations, reports show.
However, the number of discrimination complaints as a whole in 2007 was not as low.
"There are more complaints of discrimination than there are on any basis," said Tiffini Stevenson Earl, the Equal Opportunity Office compliance specialist.
In 2007, the year's complaints were based on 75 allegations of discrimination, harassment, or other policy violations, according to an annual report of complaints filed. The most common was discrimination because of a disability.
( Daily Iowan TV video feature )
Video in QuickTime format, click here for free player download
In the UI's most recent lawsuit, Rhonda Bender claims she was treated differently once her she announced she was pregnant. She contends that her supervisors expressed concern about her work and the department's studies because of her pregnancy.
Bender's attorney wrote in a complaint that she was soon "left out of important research meetings" and that her ideas "were no longer taken seriously."
Her supervisors repeatedly expressed concerns that a new mother would be unable to perform research duties, she wrote. Witnesses allegedly overheard the Bender's superiors expressing concerns about her calling in sick because "babies get sick," the complaint showed.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 20
Dave
posted 3/07/08 @ 5:44 AM CST
Discrimination is alive and well in many State Governmental agencies. I have been denied promotions three consecutive times for being "to close to retirement". (Continued…)
Bacon
posted 3/07/08 @ 6:56 AM CST
you know what, discrimination should be alive and well. some things MAKE you more valuable. if you are going to be gone because of pregnancy, you're not as valuable to a company, you're costing them money. (Continued…)
cseeley
ceseeley
posted 3/07/08 @ 7:23 AM CST
2Ti 3:1 ΒΆ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (Continued…)
Bacon - the real one
posted 3/07/08 @ 10:16 AM CST
Hey, this is the real Bacon. A while back someone disagreed with what I said on an editorial comment and said they would "get me back." This must be it, cause i use Bacon all the time, so, you know, don't hold it against me in the future is all I'm saying. (Continued…)
t
posted 3/07/08 @ 10:26 AM CST
Discrimination is happening at the UI. It occurs here all of the time. But have no fear.
I am sure that a man with great integrity and character like Marcus Mills will make sure that he knows all of the facts of the case. (Continued…)
This is fun
posted 3/07/08 @ 11:04 AM CST
Bacon - that was an outstanding job of liberal baiting! My hat is off to you sir. Well done!
Roger
posted 3/07/08 @ 5:58 PM CST
The way to stop all these problems is proper oversight. At present departments do what they want. Yes, there are all kinds of rules, regulations, policies, etc. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 3/08/08 @ 2:34 AM CST
Well there certainly isn't any discrimination against women here, 100% of the UPO business office is women and they seem to hire only women.
A disproportionate amount of women are in the student body and it seems like almost all the incoming freshmen are women. (Continued…)
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