Law, Business and Society 11th Edition by Tony McAdams

Exercise 12

Diane Piantanida went on maternity leave. While absent, her employer discovered tasks that she had not completed. Before her return, Piantanida was informed that she was being reassigned to a lesser job because of her inability to keep up in her former job. Upon objecting to the change, Piantanida claims she was told that she was being given a position "for a new mom to handle." Piantanida admits that her demotion was not based on her pregnancy or her maternity leave. Piantanida declined the offer and sued, claiming a violation of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act stemming from her status as a new mother. Decide. Explain. See Piantanida v. Wyman Center, 116 F.3d 340 (8th Cir. 1997).