Lawsuit Alleges Menopause Was Behind Layoff At U.P.

[Omaha Steve]

http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/01/08/49657ecde75c8

By FRANK GRAHAM / North Platte Bulletin

January 08, 2009

A North Platte woman is suing the Union Pacific Railroad for discrimination after she allegedly was laid off for awhile because she was going through menopause.

Porfiria B. Alonzo, 56, is a machinist who was hired in 1979. She worked for the railroad continuously until laid off in 1984, according to the lawsuit filed in Lincoln County District Court.

The lawsuit said her position became available again in 1988 and she went back to work.

In April 2007, the lawsuit said, Alonzo received a letter from Director David Thalken, saying she would be pulled from service because the railroad “perceived her to be having health problems related to menopause.”

Thalken asked Alonzo to call the employee assistance hotline and undergo an evaluation to determine her fitness for duty.

A source close to the case said supervisors witnessed Alonzo crying and upset on a few occasions. The problem was that she had an issue with another employee, according to the source.

FULL story at link.

[notadmblnd]

1. I'm not finding menopause to be particularly debilatating

In fact, I feel it's sort of liberating.

[monmouth]

2. Except for the sweats now and then, and maybe a scream fest or two, I agree

it was very liberating....LOL.