In a striking legal battle, a former employee has filed a lawsuit against a major airline company, alleging wrongful termination due to discrimination and harassment based on her sex, gender, pregnancy, and disability. Erica Whitehead lodged the complaint in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Francisco on January 10, 2025, targeting United Airlines Inc., Pauline Gordon, and other unnamed defendants.
The case revolves around Erica Whitehead's tumultuous experience with United Airlines. Whitehead claims she was subjected to discriminatory practices that violated the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and other laws. Her ordeal began when she joined United Airlines in 2017 as an Auditor of Cargo Safety and Regulatory Compliance. Despite her exemplary performance and dedication to her role, Whitehead alleges that her treatment changed drastically after announcing her pregnancy in early 2022.
Whitehead contends that upon revealing her high-risk pregnancy to her supervisor Pauline Gordon in March 2022, she faced neglect and denial of necessary accommodations. "Thank you for telling me," was Gordon's initial response to Whitehead's disclosure of her condition. However, this acknowledgment did not translate into action or support. Instead, Whitehead found herself grappling with overwhelming stress as she navigated weekly flights from San Francisco to Phoenix for medical appointments without any relief from United.
Her attempts to secure a transfer closer to her doctor were thwarted by Gordon's deliberate delays in processing necessary waivers. This left Whitehead trapped in an untenable situation—working long hours under physically demanding conditions without appropriate accommodations for her high-risk pregnancy. The strain culminated in multiple hospital visits due to dangerously high blood pressure.
Despite repeated requests for assistance and documentation supporting her need for accommodations, United Airlines allegedly ignored Whitehead's pleas. Her communications with HR representatives like Flora Ness yielded no tangible results; instead, they suggested that Whitehead had failed to communicate effectively about her absences.
As the situation deteriorated further, Whitehead was removed from United’s schedule without notice or explanation while still pregnant—a move she argues was unjustified given her circumstances. She describes feeling abandoned by the company during one of the most vulnerable periods of her life.
Whitehead is seeking economic damages for lost income and employment benefits alongside non-economic damages for emotional distress caused by United’s actions. She also demands punitive damages citing oppression and malice exhibited by the defendants throughout this ordeal.
Representing Erica Whitehead are attorneys Heather Conniff Esq., Cortney Shegerian Esq., and Levon Derkalousdian Esq., from Shegerian Conniff LLP law firm based in Newport Beach CA. The case is presided over by Judge Sahar Enayati under Case ID CGC-25-621303 at the Superior Court of California County of San Francisco.