Oprah Winfrey Gets Sued
Oprah Winfrey’s network OWN is facing a lawsuit from a former employee who claims that she was laid off for becoming pregnant.
According to inside sources, Carolyn Hommel filed a lawsuit Friday suing the company for sex discrimination.
Hommel, who was hired in 2010 as senior director of scheduling and acquisitions, alleges that she was on track to become a vice president before she became pregnant.
While on medical leave having her child, Hommel was replaced by a temporary employee. Hommel says that when she returned to the office, her duties were gradually given over to this employee and she began to be excluded from meetings.
Hommel was fired in March 2012, just one month after giving birth. She claims that her supervisor, Michael Garner, then fabricated a review that made her appear “less ‘senior’ and therefore not a candidate for the
new vice president position.”
The suit brings charges of sex discrimination and disability discrimination against OWN, claiming that Hommel’s dismissal was a direct result of her pregnancy leave.
