FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACTS:
Shazzy Kamali
Staff Attorney, Work and Family Program
Legal Aid at Work
180 Montgomery Street, Suite 600
San Francisco CA 94104
415-593-0141 / @legalaidatwork
skamali@legalaidatwork.org
San Francisco, CA (July 24, 2024) – Legal Aid at Work is proud to announce a significant interim legal victory for our client, Sara Bruno, in her case against Basin Street Properties. The United States District Court for the Northern District of California has denied Basin Street Properties’ Motion to Dismiss, allowing Ms. Bruno to move forward with her claim of sex discrimination.
Ms. Bruno, a first-time mother and dedicated professional, requested an extension of her parental leave to secure childcare arrangements. Her employer denied her request. Even though Ms. Bruno responded that she would return to work on the originally agreed upon date, her employer fired her, effective immediately, telling her that it was because they “foresaw” that her childcare needs would be a “disruption.”
The Court held that an employer’s decision to terminate a female employee based on its assumption that she, “as a mom, would ‘neglect her job responsibilities in favor of her presumed childcare responsibilities’” is unlawful sex discrimination.
Shazzy Kamali, a Staff Attorney from Legal Aid at Work representing Ms. Bruno, expressed her agreement with the Court’s decision: “Today’s decision underscores that no working mom should lose her job because of outdated, gendered assumptions that she will be less committed or able to do her job because of her kids. We are thrilled that Ms. Bruno will have her day in court to challenge this unjust treatment.”
Legal Aid at Work remains committed to advocating for the rights of working families and ensuring that no one faces discrimination based on gender or family responsibilities.
About Legal Aid at Work:
Legal Aid at Work partners with people to help them understand and assert their workplace rights. We also advocate for employment laws and systems that empower low-paid workers and marginalized communities. legalaidatwork.org.