Teacher fired for premarital sex

JimEverett said

An employer is generally not covered by HIPPA. HIPPA only applies to medical providers and providers of health care plans. I am not saying there isn't some violation of privacy laws - I don't know, but I doubt its HIPPA.

And if the real reason they fired her was for having premarital sex then there is no violation of federal discrimination laws unless there is proof that the employer knew about men having premarital sex and did not fire them. But there could be a retaliation claim for requesting FMLA leave.

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Right. It's not HIPPA (both schools and employers are usually exempt, double-whammy there), it's the Civil Rights Act of 1964, specifically Title VII.

You cannot discriminate against a pregnant woman any more than you can against a certain race, etc. The law (as amended in 1979) specifically forbids discrimination against pregnant women REGARDLESS OF MARITAL STATUS.

BUT...

There is an exemption in place for 'religious organizations doing related work, including most educational institutions'. I can't find the text, but I assume that refers to a clause protecting the institution's right to discriminate according to religious belief. I guess they could argue that her premarital sex was evidence of their differing religious beliefs. :shrug: