A Tyler woman is claiming Nestlé Waters North America terminated her for being unable to lift more than 25 pounds while she was pregnant.
Alleging civil rights violations, Andrea Annette Jackson filed the suit Aug. 20 in Jefferson County District Court.
In September 2013, Jackson says she began working for Nestlé’s Ozarka plant in Hawkins, Texas, according to the lawsuit.
In March 2014, she informed her supervisor, Kevin Johnson, she was pregnant. On March 27, 2014, she received a voicemail messaged from Bonnie Betts in the company’s HR department, instructing her she would need to see a doctor before returning to work.
“Plaintiff saw her doctor and the doctor advised Plaintiff verbally and in writing that she was not to perform any lifting over 25 pounds while she was pregnant,” the suit states.
“On May 1, 2014, Ms. Betts called Plaintiff and informed her that she was terminated … but could reapply and possibly come back after her child was born. There were others employees working at Nestlé’s with lifting restrictions greater than or equal to Plaintiff’s 25 pound lifting restriction.”
Jackson claims discriminated against her because of her gender, specifically because of her pregnancy.
She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, back pay and court costs, including attorney’s fees.
Tyler attorney William Hommel Jr. represents her.
Case No. 2:15-cv-01421