Opinion ID: 612642
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Serednyj's Pregnancy Complications

Text: On December 14, 2006, Serednyj learned she was pregnant, but she suffered a miscarriage days later. On January 7, 2007, she learned she was pregnant again. [1] Shortly after learning of the second pregnancy, she informed Mount, her supervisor, and others at Beverly that she was pregnant. Mount congratulated Serednyj, and Serednyj continued to perform all of her required duties and to work her regular schedule throughout January and February 2007. At the end of February 2007, Serednyj began to have complications with her pregnancy, including spotting and cramping. She went to the hospital and was seen by Dr. Wallace Sherritt, who was covering for her regular physician, Dr. Kurt Wiese. After conducting several tests, Dr. Sherritt concluded that Serednyj's progesterone levels were low, that she had bleeding behind the placenta, and shearing of the uterus. He informed her that if these complications were not addressed immediately, she would suffer another miscarriage. Dr. Sherritt prescribed progesterone suppositories twice a day and told Serednyj not to perform strenuous activities. Serednyj explained her situation to Mount. A few days later, Mount asked for further explanation regarding what work duties she could and could not perform. Dr. Sherritt provided a doctor's note, dated February 27, 2007, which reads, in relevant part: I have seen this patient and have instructed her that she is to limit her activities to no heavy lifting or strenuous activities. She has explained her responsibilities that pertain to her work and she has been advised that she is not to participate in her usual work load. If she cannot perform duties that are of a limited nature then she needs to stay off of work until she can be re-evaluated by Dr. Wiese upon his return next week. Failure to do so could jeopardize her pregnancy. These restrictions meant that Serednyj could not set up and move tables for activities in the nursing home, push patients in their wheelchairs to those activities, nor decorate and maintain the activity calendar. Serednyj requested to be excused from these activities. Mount explained Beverly's modified work policy to Serednyj, and informed her that she could not return to work until Dr. Wiese released her back to full duty. The modified work policy, known as HR-305, states: The Company only provides one type of restricted or limited duty to employees with non-work related injuries or conditions, which is accommodated duty as one form of reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or comparable state law, where medically necessary for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The policy states in bold, No other restricted or limited duty is permitted for non-work related injuries or conditions. Mount also informed Serednyj that she had not been employed long enough to qualify for FMLA leave. On March 1, 2007, Dr. Sherritt faxed another note to Mount, which stated: After reviewing your form and considering this patient's situation I have decided that in her best interest I cannot give my permission for her to continue working in any capacity. Dr. Sherritt indicated that Serednyj's physician, Dr. Wiese, would return to work soon, and that he deferred to his judgment regarding her work restrictions. Serednyj saw Dr. Wiese on March 6, 2007, and he signed a small form entitled Disability Certificate. Dr. Wiese reported that Serednyj was totally incapacitated (on bed rest) from March 2, 2007, to March 14, 2007, and was still unable to return to work. Serednyj showed the form to Mount, and informed her she was to see Dr. Wiese again on March 13, 2007. Mount told her that if she could not return to work on March 14, 2007, without restrictions, she would have to let her go. On March 13, 2007, Serednyj saw Dr. Wiese, who wrote a note saying light duty or unable to work until further notice. Serednyj gave the note to Mount, who again informed Serednyj that she did not fall within Beverly's modified work policy because her injury was not work related, and that she had not worked there long enough to qualify for FMLA leave. Mount terminated her employment. Serednyj hired an attorney, who drafted a letter to Beverly, dated March 21, 2007, requesting an accommodation pursuant to the ADA and the PDA. Mount informed Serednyj she would look into it again, and contacted the Division Manager of Human Resources, Connie Rebey. After this discussion, Mount called Serednyj on March 26, 2007, to inform her a second time that she was not eligible for light duty work under Beverly's modified work policy. On April 10, 2007, Beverly filled out an Earning Information Request form for Serednyj for Indiana state welfare. Beverly indicated on the form that Serednyj was fired from her job. In June 2007, Serednyj's physician lifted her restrictions and informed her that she could begin exercising again. Serednyj had a healthy baby boy on September 24, 2007, and began working part-time at Wal-Mart on December 5, 2007, without any restrictions. Serednyj became pregnant again with her second child in January or February 2009, and suffered no complications throughout that pregnancy.