A sex discrimination lawsuit against Oprah's OWN network was file on Feb. 1, 2013 by a former employee, Carolyn Hommel, who alleges she was replaced after taking medical leave while pregnant.
The lawsuit was filed in Superior Court in Los Angeles by the Bononi Law Group and alleges that Hommel is suing due to sex discrimination, disability discrimination, failure to prevent discrimination, retaliation and willful failure to pay wages upon discharge or termination.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Hommel claims that she was hired by OWN as senior director of the scheduling and acquisitions at the network.
On track to become a vice president, she was reportedly replaced by a temporary employee while on maternity leave.
The Oprah lawsuit claims that Hommel's former boss, Michael Garner, gave her a performance view that made her seem under-qualified for the vice president position she tried to apply for after her pregnancy leave and subsequent firing.
Hommel gave birth on March 19, 2012 and was fired from her position at OWN one month later. She claims that her job loss and poor performance review was a result of her pregnancy and medical leave.
The lawsuit does not specify the damages Hommel is seeking in the discrimination suit against OWN.
