SAN FRANCISCO – A former employee of an online luxury store alleges she was discriminated against because of her pregnancy.
Toni Lessler filed a complaint on Dec. 6 in the San Francisco Superior Court against The RealReal Inc. and Does 1 through 10 over alleged violation of the California Family Rights Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff began working for the defendant in August 2016 as a fashion writer and editor. The suit states in January, Lessler informed her supervisor that she was four months pregnant and was approved for maternity leave beginning on May 21 through Oct. 22.
The suit states on Oct. 12, while she was still on leave, she was terminated via phone call.
The plaintiff holds The RealReal Inc. and Does 1 through 10 responsible because the defendants allegedly discriminated against plaintiff by failing to engage in discussions with her regarding reasonable accommodations for her pregnancy and terminated her while she was on maternity leave.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for general, special and punitive damages; interest; costs of suit; and such other relief as the court deems just and proper. She is represented by Cliff Palefsky and Scott M. Stillman of McGuinn, Hillsman & Palefsky in San Francisco.
San Francisco Superior Court case number CGC18571891