Case: EEOC v. Motherhood

3:05-cv-00990 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Filed Date: Sept. 28, 2005

Closed Date: 2010

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In September 2005, the Miami District Office of the EEOC brought this lawsuit against Mothers Work, Inc., doing business as Motherhood, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida alleging sexual and pregnancy discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, the complaint alleges the defendant discriminated against the complainants, female employees and job seekers, on the basis of pregnancy by failing to hire employees b…
In September 2005, the Miami District Office of the EEOC brought this lawsuit against Mothers Work, Inc., doing business as Motherhood, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida alleging sexual and pregnancy discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, the complaint alleges the defendant discriminated against the complainants, female employees and job seekers, on the basis of pregnancy by failing to hire employees believed to be pregnant and retaliating against one complainant for her opposition of this practice and stating a suspicion that the complainant was herself pregnant. The complainant intervened in the lawsuit in February 2006. Following a few hearings and mediation, the parties settled the lawsuit in January 2007 through a consent decree. The three-year decree, containing an agreement not to discriminate or retaliate, required the defendant to: report on complaints and make other compliance reporting, keep records of complaints, provide EEOC access to records and employees for monitoring, expungement of certain complainants' records, expungement of employee records and provision of an agreed-upon letter of recommendation, develop an anti-discrimination policy regarding pregnancy discrimination and retaliation, post and distribute notice of employee rights, provide EEO training to its supervisors and managers who would then provide training to other employees, and pay $375,000 to be distributed among four individuals and their attorney.he docket sheet does not show any further enforcement took place; the case was presumably closed in 2010.

Summary Authors

David Friedman (11/26/2007)

Clearinghouse (6/10/2017)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/14193008/parties/united-states-equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-mothers-work-inc/


Judge(s)

Corrigan, Timothy J. (Florida)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Cooper, Cheryl A. (Florida)

Curtin, Nora Ellen (Florida)

Dreilinger, Lauren Gayle (Florida)

Attorney for Defendant

Adams, Douglas C. (Florida)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

3:05-cv-00990

Docket (PACER)

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Mothers Work, Inc.

Jan. 5, 2007

Jan. 5, 2007

Docket
1

3:05-cv-00990

Complaint

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Mothers Work, Inc.

Sept. 28, 2005

Sept. 28, 2005

Complaint
16

3:05-cv-00990

Intervenor Plaintiff, Lashonda Burns' Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Mothers Work, Inc.

Feb. 6, 2006

Feb. 6, 2006

Complaint
27

3:05-cv-00990

Order [re: Motion to Dismiss]

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Mothers Work, Inc.

April 18, 2006

April 18, 2006

Order/Opinion
46

3:05-cv-00990

Consent Decree

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Mothers Work, Inc.

Jan. 5, 2007

Jan. 5, 2007

Settlement Agreement

3:05-cv-00990

Maternity Store Giant to Pay $375,000 to Settle EEOC Pregnancy Discrimination and Retaliation Lawsuit

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Mothers Work, Inc.

No Court

Jan. 8, 2007

Jan. 8, 2007

Press Release

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/14193008/united-states-equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-mothers-work-inc/

Last updated Aug. 18, 2026, 5:27 p.m.

Docket for: United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Mothers Work, Inc.
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Sept. 28, 2005

COMPLAINT against Mothers Work, Inc.; jury demand; injunctive relief requested, filed by United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.(SPW) Additional attachment(s) added on 9/28/2005 to replace illegible .pdf file (SPW). Modified on 9/28/2005 (SPW). (Entered: 09/28/2005)

RECAP
Sept. 28, 2005

Summons issued as to Mothers Work, Inc. Consent(s) issued. (SPW) (Entered: 09/28/2005)

PACER
Sept. 28, 2005

Summons issued as to Mothers Work, Inc. Consent(s) issued. (SPW)

2 Sept. 29, 2005

NOTICE of designation under Local Rule 3.05 - track 2. Signed by Deputy Clerk on 9/29/2005. (DH ) (Entered: 09/29/2005)

RECAP
3 Sept. 29, 2005

AMENDED STANDING ORDER - Filing of Documents that Exceed Twenty-Five Pages. Signed by all Jacksonville Judges on 05/25/05(pwd, ) (Entered: 09/29/2005)

RECAP
4 Nov. 9, 2005

RETURN of service executed on 10/19/05 by United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as to Mothers Work, Inc. (pwd, ) (Entered: 11/10/2005)

RECAP
5 Nov. 11, 2005

MOTION to extend time to [Agreed Motion for Enlargement of Time for Defendant] respond to Plaintiff's Complaint and to File its Corporate Disclosure Statement by Mothers Work, Inc.. (Adams, Douglas) (Entered: 11/11/2005)

RECAP
6 Nov. 15, 2005

ENDORSED ORDER granting 5 Motion to extend time . Signed by Judge Thomas E. Morris on 11/14/2005. (WB, ) (Entered: 11/15/2005)

RECAP
7 Nov. 30, 2005

ANSWER to complaint with Jury Demand and Defenses and Affirmative Defenses by Mothers Work, Inc..(Zelek, Mark) (Entered: 11/30/2005)

RECAP
8 Nov. 30, 2005

CERTIFICATE of interested persons and corporate disclosure statement by Mothers Work, Inc.. (Zelek, Mark) (Entered: 11/30/2005)

RECAP
9 Dec. 6, 2005

MOTION to intervene as Plaintiff and memorandum of law by LaShonda Burns. (pwd, ) Modified on 12/9/2005 (pwd, ). (Document stricken and removed per Order #10) (Entered: 12/07/2005)

RECAP
10 Dec. 9, 2005

ORDER striking 9 Motion to intervene for the stated reasons. Signed by Judge Thomas E. Morris on 12/9/2005. (DLC, ) (Entered: 12/09/2005)

RECAP
11 Dec. 9, 2005

AMENDED MOTION to intervene as Plaintiff and Memorandum of Law by LaShonda Burns. (pwd, ) (Entered: 12/09/2005)

RECAP
12 Dec. 14, 2005

CASE MANAGEMENT REPORT. (Cooper, Cheryl) (Entered: 12/14/2005)

RECAP
13 Jan. 27, 2006

CASE MANAGEMENT AND SCHEDULING ORDER: Amended Pleadings due by 5/1/2006. Discovery due by 12/29/2006. Dispositive motions due by 1/29/2007. Pretrial statement due by 5/16/2007. Pretrial Conference set for 5/22/2007 03:00 PM in Courtroom 10 B before Judge Timothy J. Corrigan. Jury Trial set for 6/4/2007 - 6/15/2007 09:00 AM in Courtroom 10 B before Judge Timothy J. Corrigan. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Corrigan on 1/26/2006. (JMAP) (Entered: 01/27/2006)

RECAP
14 Jan. 27, 2006

ORDER referring case to mediation and appointing Alexandra K. Hedrick as mediator in this action Signed by Judge Timothy J. Corrigan on 1/27/2006. (Attachments: # 1 Docket Sheet# 2 Mediation Report)(JMAP) (Entered: 01/27/2006)

RECAP
15 Feb. 3, 2006

ORDER granting as set forth herein 11 Motion to intervene . Signed by Judge Thomas E. Morris on 2/3/2006. (WB, ) (Entered: 02/03/2006)

RECAP
16 Feb. 6, 2006

INTERVENOR'S COMPLAINT and demand for jury trial, filed by LaShonda Burns.(pwd, ) (Entered: 02/07/2006)

RECAP
17 Feb. 21, 2006

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply by all defendants. (Adams, Douglas) (Entered: 02/21/2006)

RECAP
18 Feb. 23, 2006

ENDORSED ORDER granting 17 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply . Signed by Judge Thomas E. Morris on 2/22/2006. (WB, ) (Entered: 02/23/2006)

RECAP
19 Feb. 28, 2006

MOTION to dismiss Counts III and IV of Intervenor-Plaintiff's Complaint and Memorandum of Law by Mothers Work, Inc.. (Adams, Douglas) (Entered: 02/28/2006)

RECAP
20 Feb. 28, 2006

ANSWER to intervenor complaint by Mothers Work, Inc..(Adams, Douglas) (Entered: 02/28/2006)

RECAP
21 March 8, 2006

Consent MOTION to extend time to respond to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss and Answer by LaShonda Burns. (pwd, ) (Entered: 03/09/2006)

RECAP
22 March 16, 2006

ENDORSED ORDER granting 21 Motion to extend time. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Corrigan on 3/16/2006. (SRW) (Entered: 03/16/2006)

RECAP
23 March 23, 2006

MEMORANDUM in opposition re 19 Motion to dismiss filed by LaShonda Burns. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits A - C# 2 Exhibits D - E)(pwd, ) (Entered: 03/23/2006)

RECAP
24 March 23, 2006

REQUEST for oral argument re 19 MOTION to dismiss Counts III and IV of Intervenor-Plaintiff's Complaint and Memorandum of Law by LaShonda Burns. (pwd, ) (Entered: 03/23/2006)

RECAP
25 March 28, 2006

NOTICE of Telephone Hearing on 19 MOTION to dismiss Counts III and IV of Intervenor-Plaintiff's Complaint: Motion Hearing set for 4/11/2006 2:30 PM before Judge Timothy J. Corrigan. Defendant's counsel to initiate conference call per instructions in Notice.(SRW) (Entered: 03/28/2006)

RECAP
26 March 30, 2006

NOTICE by United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of Change of Telephone and Facsimile Numbers (Cooper, Cheryl) (Entered: 03/30/2006)

RECAP
28 April 11, 2006

MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Judge Timothy J. Corrigan : Motion Hearing held on 4/11/2006 re 19 MOTION to dismiss Counts III and IV of Intervenor-Plaintiff's Complaint filed by Mothers Work, Inc. Court Reporter: Shannon Bishop (JMAP) (Entered: 04/19/2006)

RECAP
27 April 18, 2006

ORDER denying 19 Motion to dismiss. Defendant's Amended Answer shall be served by 4/25/2006. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Corrigan on 4/18/2006. (JMAP) (Entered: 04/18/2006)

RECAP
29 April 24, 2006

Amended ANSWER to intervenor complaint (Defenses and Affirmative Defenses) by Mothers Work, Inc..(Zelek, Mark) (Entered: 04/24/2006)

RECAP
30 July 19, 2006

NOTICE by LaShonda Burns Consent Motion for Appointment of Mediator and Notice of Date Selected for Mediation (Johnston, Charles) Modified on 7/20/2006 (pwd, ). (Counsel advised to re-file this document as a Motion) (Entered: 07/19/2006)

RECAP
31 July 21, 2006

MOTION : Consent Motion for Appointment of Mediator and Notice of Date Selected for Mediation by LaShonda Burns. (Johnston, Charles) (Entered: 07/21/2006)

RECAP
32 July 27, 2006

ORDER granting 31 Consent Motion for Appointment of Mediator. Audrey McKibbin Moran, Esquire is hereby substituted for Alexandra K. Hedrick, Esquire as mediator in this case. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Corrigan on 7/27/2006. (JMAP) (Entered: 07/27/2006)

RECAP
33 July 27, 2006

ORDER REFERRING CASE to mediation and appointing Audrey McKibbin Moran as mediator in this action. The Mediation conference is set for 12/7/06. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Corrigan on 7/27/2006. (Attachments: # 1 docket sheet# 2 mediation report)(JMAP) (Entered: 07/27/2006)

RECAP
34 Aug. 24, 2006

Joint MOTION to quash subpoenas duce tecum by United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Attachments: # 1 # 2 # 3 # 4 # 5 # 6)(Dreilinger, Lauren) (Entered: 08/24/2006)

RECAP
35 Sept. 8, 2006

MEMORANDUM in opposition re 34 Motion to quash [Defendant's Opposition to Plaintiff EEOC's and Plaintiff Intervenor's Joint Motion to Quash or Modify Subpoenas Duces Tecum] filed by Mothers Work, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A - First Report of Injury or IIllness)(Joseph, Beth) (Entered: 09/08/2006)

RECAP
36 Sept. 12, 2006

MOTION to compel [Defendant's Motion to Compel Better Answers to Discovery and Supporting Memorandum of Law] by Mothers Work, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Def's First Set of Interrogatories# 2 Exhibit B - Def's First Request for Production# 3 Exhibit C - Plantiffs' Response to Def's Firt Request for Production# 4 Exhibit D - Plaintiff's response to to Def's First Set of Interrogatories# 5 Exhibit E - Correspondence to A Hammond dated 8.10.06 and email to A Hammond dated 8.10.06# 6 Exhibit F - EEOC Complaint-Prayer for Relief# 7 Exhibit G - Correspondence from A Hammond dated 8.16.06# 8 Exhibit H - First Report of Injury or Illness# 9 Exhibit I - Incident Report)(Zelek, Mark) (Entered: 09/12/2006)

RECAP
37 Sept. 25, 2006

MEMORANDUM in opposition re 36 Motion to compel,,, filed by LaShonda Burns. (Johnston, Charles) (Entered: 09/25/2006)

RECAP
38 Sept. 29, 2006

MOTION for Extension of Time to File [Motion for Enlargement of Time for Defendant to Serve Expert Witness Disclosures and Expert Reports] by Mothers Work, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Correspondence from L. Dreilinger to B. Joseph dated 8.31.06# 2 Exhibit B - Re-Notice of Taking Deposition of LaShonda Burns Duces Tecum)(Zelek, Mark) (Entered: 09/29/2006)

RECAP
39 Oct. 13, 2006

NOTICE by Mothers Work, Inc. re 38 MOTION for Extension of Time to File [Motion for Enlargement of Time for Defendant to Serve Expert Witness Disclosures and Expert Reports] MOTION for Extension of Time to File [Motion for Enlargement of Time for Defendant to Serve Expert Witness Disclosures and Expert Reports] Notice of Partial Withdrawal of Defendant's Request for an Enlargement of Time to Designate Expert Witnesses (Joseph, Beth). (Entered: 10/13/2006)

RECAP
40 Oct. 16, 2006

RESPONSE in opposition re 38 MOTION for Extension of Time to File [Motion for Enlargement of Time for Defendant to Serve Expert Witness Disclosures and Expert Reports] MOTION for Extension of Time to File [Motion for Enlargement of Time for Defendant to Serve Expert Witness Disclosures and Expert Reports] filed by United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, LaShonda Burns. (Cooper, Cheryl) (Entered: 10/16/2006)

RECAP
41 Nov. 17, 2006

MOTION to extend time to serve Defendant's Expert Witness Disclosures and Expert Reports by Mothers Work, Inc.. (Zelek, Mark) (Entered: 11/17/2006)

RECAP
42 Dec. 1, 2006

RESPONSE in opposition re 41 MOTION to extend time to serve Defendant's Expert Witness Disclosures and Expert Reports filed by United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, LaShonda Burns. (Cooper, Cheryl) (Entered: 12/01/2006)

RECAP
43 Dec. 7, 2006

MEDIATION REPORT Hearing held on 11/28/06 Hearing outcome: resolved completely(pwd, ) (Entered: 12/11/2006)

RECAP
44 Dec. 18, 2006

NOTICE by United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of Filing of Consent Decree (Attachments: # 1 Consent Decree for execution by the Court)(Curtin, Nora) (Entered: 12/18/2006)

RECAP
45 Dec. 20, 2006

Unopposed MOTION to Approve Consent Judgment by United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Consent Decree for Court's execution)(Curtin, Nora) (Entered: 12/20/2006)

RECAP
46 Jan. 5, 2007

ORDER granting 45 Motion to Approve Consent Judgment; terminating all other pending motions; entering Consent Decree; the Clerk shall close this file. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Corrigan on 1/5/2007. (SRW) (Entered: 01/05/2007)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Florida

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 28, 2005

Closing Date: 2010

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of one or more workers.

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

Mothers Work, Inc.

Case Details

Causes of Action:

State Anti-Discrimination Law

State law

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Other Dockets:

Middle District of Florida 3:05-cv-00990

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Monetary Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Damages

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Discrimination Prohibition

Expungement of Employment Record

Monitoring

Neutral/Positive Reference

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Provide antidiscrimination training

Recordkeeping

Reporting

Retaliation Prohibition

Amount Defendant Pays: 375000

Order Duration: 2007 - 2010

Issues

General/Misc.:

Retaliation

Discrimination Area:

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Discipline

Disparate Treatment

Hiring

Discrimination Basis:

Pregnancy discrimination

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Female

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Private Party intervened in EEOC suit

Recommended Citation