Washington sues O’Reilly Auto Parts
By Terry Murry on Thursday, August 17th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News Featured Stories
OLYMPIA – Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a civil rights lawsuit Wednesday in King County Superior Court accusing O’Reilly Auto Parts of discrimination and retaliation against pregnant employees.
The lawsuit alleges that it is the company’s practice to unlawfully refuse pregnant workers reasonable workplace accommodations, such as the ability to sit or rest, limit how much they lift or handle hazardous materials, allow flexibility for restroom breaks, and pump breast milk for their newborn babies after returning to work.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, after unlawfully rejecting these accommodations, O’Reilly managers routinely engaged in retaliation against the women who sought them, including demoting them, threatening termination, and forcing them to take unpaid leave or quit altogether.
At least 22 women suffered physically, emotionally, and financially as a direct result of O’Reilly’s unlawful actions. It is suspected the number is much greater, with hundreds of Washington workers employed by O’Reilly at 169 stores across 27 counties.
Anyone who experienced pregnancy discrimination at a Washington O’Reilly store can contact the Civil Rights Division of the attorney general’s office by emailing Oreillylawsuit@atg.wa.gov or by calling 833-660-4877 and selecting option 4. Online forms are also available at https://www.atg.wa.gov/.
