October 14, 2026
A Smithfield Foods subsidiary reached a deal to resolve a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission suit claiming it placed a pregnant employee on unpaid leave and then fired her when she asked for lighter work and occasional breaks, according to a North Carolina federal court filing.
August 19, 2025
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission told a North Carolina federal court Tuesday that a meat processing company violated the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act by forcing a pregnant laborer onto unpaid leave and eventually firing her rather than offering light-duty work or other job modifications doctors had recommended.