Talk About Irony
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2003 8:31 pm
BOSTON, Massachusetts (Reuters) -- A woman is suing a maternity clothing store, saying she was fired from her job as district manager for being pregnant.
Mothers Work Inc. on Thursday denied the allegations leveled by Cynthia Papageorge, who said she loved her job at the retailer until she got pregnant in 1999 and a vice president belittled her.
"When he saw me he had almost a look of horror," Papageorge told The Boston Globe.
"I had gained 38 pounds and was wearing white leather Keds because my feet were swollen. I thought I looked presentable. He said I wasn't able to handle my position, 'in my state.'"
Papageorge said the vice president tried to have her fired shortly thereafter, ordering her boss to get rid of her while she was on maternity leave.
When the boss, Jan Dowe, refused to fire her, the vice president fired Papageorge's boss. Papageorge eventually was fired, and she also accused the Philadelphia-based company of firing at least two other pregnant women.
Mothers Work, a chain of more than 800 stores that was founded by pregnant women, issued a statement on Thursday in which it rejected Papageorge's accusations.
"We are uniquely sensitive to the needs of expectant mothers and are especially upset by any allegations that run contrary to such needs," it said.
"Upon review of the facts, we believe the suit is without merit and will be appropriately and successfully defended."
Mothers Work Inc. on Thursday denied the allegations leveled by Cynthia Papageorge, who said she loved her job at the retailer until she got pregnant in 1999 and a vice president belittled her.
"When he saw me he had almost a look of horror," Papageorge told The Boston Globe.
"I had gained 38 pounds and was wearing white leather Keds because my feet were swollen. I thought I looked presentable. He said I wasn't able to handle my position, 'in my state.'"
Papageorge said the vice president tried to have her fired shortly thereafter, ordering her boss to get rid of her while she was on maternity leave.
When the boss, Jan Dowe, refused to fire her, the vice president fired Papageorge's boss. Papageorge eventually was fired, and she also accused the Philadelphia-based company of firing at least two other pregnant women.
Mothers Work, a chain of more than 800 stores that was founded by pregnant women, issued a statement on Thursday in which it rejected Papageorge's accusations.
"We are uniquely sensitive to the needs of expectant mothers and are especially upset by any allegations that run contrary to such needs," it said.
"Upon review of the facts, we believe the suit is without merit and will be appropriately and successfully defended."
