Fourth DCA Rules that Florida Civil Rights Act Covers Pregnancy Discrimination
The Fourth District Court of Appeals ruled yesterday in Carsillo v. City of Lake Worth that the Florida Civil Rights Act prohibits pregnancy discrimination in employment. Disagreeing with several federal court decisions, including Judge Antoon's decision in Boone v. Total Renal Laboratories, the court reasoned that because the Florida statute is patterned after Title VII, which considers pregnancy discrimination to be sex discrimination, the Florida law bars pregnancy discrimination.
I disagree with the Fourth DCA's decision in Carsillo and find Judge Antoon's analysis more persuasive. But since Boone is up on appeal, and I'm defense counsel on the case, I'll refrain from commenting further at this time. It may ultimately require a decision by the Florida Supreme Court to resolve this issue.
