Feds Sue Arkansas Insurer Over Fired Employee Who Had A Baby

The federal government is suing a Little Rock, Ark.-based insurance company over the firing of a worker who had just had a baby.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the lawsuit last week in Little Rock against USAble Life on behalf of former employee Christian DeClue.

The EEOC complaint says DeClue had interviewed for two promotions at USAble Life during her maternity leave but was denied the jobs. The company said she lacked the requisite managerial experience, but she complained to company officials that she was blocked because she would need lactation breaks and was taking medication for postpartum depression.

When DeClue complained to Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is served and partially owned by USAble Life, DeClue said she was fired for complaining to a third party.

USAble did not immediately respond to requests for comment.