The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has today (18 March 2013) issued legal proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 480) and Disability Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 487) in the District Court on behalf of a female clerical employee who alleged that she was discriminated against by her former employer on the ground of her pregnancy and disability. The Plaintiff was dismissed shortly after she had informed her employer about her pregnancy and disability (umbilical hernia).

The EOC has granted legal assistance in this case on the basis that pregnant women and employees taking sick leave for medical treatment are often targets of dismissal. By taking this case to court, the EOC hopes to remind employers regarding the legal protection against pregnancy discrimination and disability discrimination in employment, as well as their duty to provide reasonable accommodation to their pregnant staff and staff with disabilities.

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Equal Opportunities Commission
18 March 2013