Fatmeh Badih, a recent immigrant from Sierra Leone, was hired in 1987 as a medical assistant by Dr. Leonard Myers. Nearly three years later, when Badih informed Myers that she was pregnant. Myers then fired her, stating: “If you told me you were going to get married and have babies, I wouldn’t have hired you.” Badih sued Myers for pregnancy discrimination and was awarded over $20,000 in damages plus attorney fees.
Donna Solly was employed as a limited-status teacher at Caldwell Area Technology Center. The employer did not renew her employment contract, stating she had an affair with a male colleague. Solly filed suit in the Franklin County Circuit Court, alleging sex discrimination. The Circuit Court found in favor of the employer, but the Court of Appeals of Kentucky reversed and remanded, holding that she had established a prima facie case of sex discrimination.
The Sex Discrimination Act is federal legislation which applies to the whole of Australia. There is considerable overlap with State and territory anti-discrimination legislation (although with some differences in scope and exceptions). As a result, a complainant may have legal avenues under this Act and also under State or territory legislation.
