Pregnant bartender sues Tinley Park restaurant over firing
SUN-TIMES MEDIA May 10, 2012 4:29PM
Updated: May 10, 2012 4:30PM
A woman has filed a federal lawsuit claiming she was fired from her bartending job in at a Tinley Park restaurant when it became apparent she was pregnant.
Heidi Spontak said she informed her manager and other employees at the Charley Horse Restaurant, 9501 W. 171st St., that she was pregnant in May 2011, and was told not to let the bar owners know of her situation or she would be fired.
In late July, Spontak claims she was bartending when one of the bar owners, Maria Sord, commented that Spontak looked like she was pregnant. A few minutes later, the bar manager told Spontak that “they know about your pregnancy,” and said Spontak would no longer be working there.
Spontak claims she was doing her job properly, and filed a charge for discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in November.
Spontak seeks back pay, lost benefits, attorneys’s fees, compensation for emotional distress and punitive damages of $200,000.
The bar owners did not return messages seeking comment.
