Google Canada allegedly fired an employee days after she informed her bosses that she was pregnant. The tech giant now claims pregnancy is not protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Sarah Lilleyman filed a statement of claim to Toronto’s Superior Court of Justice last year, alleging wrongful dismissal and a breach of Ontario Human Rights Code because of “pregnancy discrimination.”
As part of the legal process, Google filed a statement of defence in court and denied discrimination and wrongful dismissal. The tech giant says Lilleyman was terminated in March 2024 due to a workforce reduction.
“In January 2024, due to changing business needs, Google Canada was forced to implement significant workforce reductions across various locations and divisions. Lilleyman’s role was among those impacted by this workforce reduction in Canada.” She was given two months’ notice.
Google says that even if Lilleyman’s allegations were true, it’s not a violation of the Code. “First, ‘pregnancy’ is not a protected ground under the Code.” The tech giant didn’t fire Lilleyman due to sex, gender or any protected ground under the code, according to its defence statement. However, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) says otherwise.
“The Code protects a woman because she is or was pregnant, may become pregnant, has just had a baby or other pregnancy-related situations. Pregnancy includes the process of having a baby from conception up to the period following childbirth. It also includes the post-delivery period and breastfeeding,” the tribunal says in an information package on the commission’s website.
Additionally, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, a body responsible for discrimination complaints related to the code, confirmed that it prohibits discrimination and harassment on several grounds, among them sex, “including sexual harassment and pregnancy.”
In her lawsuit, Lilleyman asked for damages for lost compensation and benefits, $250,000 in punitive damages, and $150,000 for alleged breaches of the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Source: National Post
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