Girls’s School Fires Pregnant Worker To Keep away from Maternity Pay

[ad_1] by Kandiss Edwards September 4, 2025

Shakira Zahiruddin is working with the Transport Staff Union after being laid off by Barnard School.

Shakira Zahiruddin is accusing Barnard School, an all-women’s establishment, of firing her to keep away from compensation for maternity go away.

The eight-months-pregnant custodian alleges the school violates seniority protocols and feminine rights. Zahiruddin believes the establishment deliberately canceled her employment to keep away from compensating her throughout maternity go away, the New York Publish reported.

Zahiruddin, a mom of two, stated she was let go by way of e mail on Aug. 26. Throughout her press convention on the TWU Native 264 Union workplace in Brooklyn, she spoke about her disappointment within the resolution of the ladies’s faculty.

“You wouldn’t actually anticipate that on account of what they stand for,” she stated. “I actually don’t know what I'm going to do.”

In line with the ex-employee, shedding her revenue at such a crucial time presents fast hardship. Zahiruddin is now confronted with questions on easy methods to assist her two kids in addition to her soon-to-be new child.

“I really feel left alone, and I'm extraordinarily apprehensive for my children transferring ahead,” she stated in the course of the press convention. “How may an all-women’s faculty simply not care?” she added, calling the transfer “unjust and inhumane.”

Below her union’s collective bargaining settlement, layoffs should adhere strictly to seniority, the union says. But, a male custodian employed practically 4 months after Zahiruddin, was saved on the janitorial employees. Retaining an worker with much less time labored prompted Zahirudden and the Union to imagine the choice was neither honest nor authentic. The grievance declares the motion “a deliberate try to erase a senior employee’s rights.”

TWU Native 264 President Joseph Rose condemned the school’s actions.

“They're simply wanting on the financial facet,” he stated.

The union is demanding Zahiruddin’s reinstatement, full advantages, again pay, and a assure of her maternity go away.

Barnard maintains the layoff was not on account of Zahirruddin’s well being situation. As a substitute, the establishment contends there's college-wide restructuring affecting 77 full-time positions. A Barnard spokesperson stated the modifications had been pushed by operational wants and complied with union procedures. The varsity confirmed that affected union members had been knowledgeable of alternatives to reapply for open positions. But they don't clarify how Zahiruddin’s seniority was neglected.

But for the expectant mother, the timing stays devastating. The wage she relied on for revenue and well being advantages expired six days after her launch. The timeline lands simply forward of her anticipated supply date. Now, and not using a job or protection, she’s left to fret how she’ll assist her household and handle the excessive prices of motherhood alone.