EEOC Sued Fred Meyer Over Pregnancy Discrimination

The lawsuit alleges a Vancouver, Washington, store violated the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act by terminating two employees.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Pregnancy

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a simplified building facade, evoking the institutional nature of workplace pregnancy discrimination litigation. — The EEOC filed a lawsuit against Fred Meyer in Vancouver, Washington, alleging the company illegally terminated two pregnant employees. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The EEOC filed a lawsuit against Fred Meyer, claiming the supermarket chain discriminated against two pregnant employees at its Vancouver location. The agency alleges the company terminated the workers after they requested reasonable accommodations and childbirth leave.

Why it matters

The case highlights enforcement of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which mandates employers provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related limitations. This legal action challenges corporate policies regarding discipline for pregnancy-related absences.

The federal lawsuit involves two employees at a Vancouver, Washington, store. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which grounds the legal claims, officially took effect on 27 June 2023.

The players

EEOC

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is the federal agency responsible for enforcing laws against workplace discrimination.

Fred Meyer

Fred Meyer is a large supermarket chain that operates numerous retail locations across the Pacific Northwest.

The details

The lawsuit alleges Fred Meyer disciplined workers for pregnancy-related absences and denied a transfer request for an employee experiencing nausea. Both employees were allegedly terminated following their specific requests for medical accommodations or leave.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act took effect on 27 June 2023.
An employee discussed pregnancy-related absences with management in July 2023.
Medical documentation was provided to the employer by an employee in August 2023.
An employee was terminated in October 2023 after requesting childbirth leave.
The EEOC filed the lawsuit against Fred Meyer on 30 September 2026.

Culture Shift

This litigation highlights a broader societal shift toward increased protection of parental rights and medical accommodations in the workplace. It signals a move away from legacy attendance policies that fail to account for pregnancy-related medical needs.

Residents working in retail or similar environments may find this case sets a precedent for how employers must handle accommodation requests. It highlights the importance of keeping personal medical documentation should issues arise regarding workplace leave policies.

The takeaway

Workers should be aware that federal law now provides explicit protections for reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy. Maintaining clear records of medical requests can be a vital step for employees navigating these workplace discussions.