Human rights panel rulings find in favor of workers

The Maine Human Rights Commission recently found in favor of two women who were illegally fired based on discrimination. The commission ruled Monday that Massachusetts-based Employment on Demand wrongfully fired Therese Nymahoro from assembly plant work in Saco in 2010, according to the Bangor Daily News.

Nymahoro, who is black, was struck by a co-worker, and a fight ensued. The company fired her immediately but continued to employ the co-worker, who is Hispanic, for another month. The commission said the majority of the plant's workers are Hispanic, and Nymahoro was treated less favorably because of her race.

In another case, an obstetrician/gynecologist was fired illegally from her job at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston because of her medical condition. Ingrid Carlson asked CMMC to modify her hours so she no longer worked overnight shifts because of worsening symptoms of Crohn's disease. Carlson said the hospital stopped booking patients with her and offered her a part-time job. She asked for a six-month leave of absence, but then was asked to resign.

The hospital, however, said overnight shifts were an essential part of her job, and that Carlson initially requested the part-time position. The commission found that CMMC acted in a discriminatory way by not allowing her to continue full-time employment, even when her symptoms improved, because of a potential for future flare-ups of her condition, according to the Daily News.

The rulings are not binding, and encourage parties in the cases to attempt to reach a settlement. If that fails, complainants can file a civil lawsuit with the Maine Superior Court.