Former Cashier Files Legal Charge Against Walmart for Pregnancy Discrimination

(Washington, D.C.) Today, the National Women’s Law Center filed an employment discrimination charge against Walmart—one of the nation’s largest private employers—on behalf of Corrissa Hernandez, a former cashier, and all pregnant and disabled Walmart employees. The charge, filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, alleges that Walmart fired Ms. Hernandez for requesting simple workplace modifications to accommodate her pregnancy-related health conditions. Walmart’s actions violated the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, Title VII, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Ohio civil rights law.

The charge describes how Walmart fired Ms. Hernandez within days of her starting work at the Oberlin, Ohio, Supercenter in April 2024. After working her first few shifts as a cashier, Ms. Hernandez told the lead cashier that she was pregnant and that her pregnancy was high-risk. She asked if she could sit at her workstation instead of standing and transfer to a part-time schedule, as recommended by her doctor. Walmart refused to provide these accommodations that are required by law. Instead, the company fired Ms. Hernandez and told her she could re-apply for a job when she was no longer pregnant.

“I was devastated when Walmart fired me,” said Corrissa Hernandez. “I was counting on that job to help me support my family and I couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t allow me to sit on a stool periodically and work part time. Now that I know there’s a law that protects pregnant women on the job, I’m speaking up to get the word out to other women.”

“Walmart’s refusal to provide Ms. Hernandez simple adjustments at work, like a stool to sit on, is outrageous and unlawful,” said Rachel Smith, Senior Counsel for Litigation, National Women’s Law Center. “Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect at work, and no one should be forced to choose between their health and their job. Unfortunately, Walmart’s unlawful actions meant that our client lost her job just when she needed economic security the most. Walmart must be held accountable to ensure that no other pregnant worker is pushed into this untenable position.”

For additional NWLC information about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, including a concise breakdown of what the law covers and a Know Your Rights toolkit, go here.

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