Car wash cashier claims employer terminated her during pregnancy leave

A Jefferson Parish woman is suing her former employer after she was terminated during her pregnancy leave.

Claiming wrongful termination, Mandy Sartor filed suit against Safari Car Wash Inc. on Nov. 10 in federal court in New Orleans.
Sartor worked as a cashier for the defendant since Oct. 2001. She began her pregnancy leave on Oct. 19, 2009 and was anticipating returning to work on Nov. 30, 2009. According to the lawsuit, sometime in November of that year her manager called to ask if she would be returning to work earlier than her anticipated date.

A week before she was scheduled to return, the manager called Sartor and involuntarily discharged her from her employment with Safari Car Wash.

Sartor also claims she was not paid for a half an hour of time worked. On the day in question, she claims she arrived at work at 7:15 a.m. to open the store but was not permitted to clock in until 7:45 a.m.

The defendant is accused of violating Sartor's civil rights, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Louisiana Employment Discrimination Statutes and Fair Labor and Standards Act.

Sartor is seeking an award of damages, attorney's fees and court costs.

She is represented by Metairie attorney Bryce G. Murray. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Martin L. C. Feldman is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10-cv-04288