Holly Waters was a sales rep for Novartis (NVS) when she got the axe. She was also seven months pregnant. Now, Waters’ lawyer, David Sanford, has filed a $200 million class-action lawsuit against NVS that he says will teach them, and other companies, not to discriminate.

NVS on the other hand, has denied any wrongdoing and points out that Working Mother magazine named it one of America’s 100 best companies for women.

Waters’ case has made some serious headlines, and even made an appearance on an ABC special with John Stossel. Waters’ lawyer told Stossel this:

“If you get pregnant, you’re in trouble at Novartis.”

Some people, however, such as Independent Women’s Forum VP Carrie Lukas, who is also a working mom, says such lawsuits do more harm than good (<—-WTF??!!):

“All of a sudden, a potential employer is looking at me and thinking, ‘She just might turn around and sue us.’ That makes it less likely that I’m going to get hired. You raise the cost of hiring a woman like me.” And while some pregnant women work harder than any man…let’s be honest: Most pregnant workers impose costs on employers. “Responsibilities are shifted each time I go to a doctor’s appointment. That means I’m unavailable to do whatever work needs to be done during that time, which means one of my colleagues is often picking up the slack.”

Now, there’s drama heating up. Stossel agrees that lawsuits actually harm women because companies view them as potential lawsuit bombs. The hate mail showed up quick!

“It is unbelievable that ABC would consider airing this piece!”

… This turns back the clock 30 years, and Betty Friedan is rolling in her grave!”

“What in the heck is wrong with you, John Stossel? This kind of backwards thinking only exists in third world countries.”

“Fire Stossel.”

Here’s a clip from the ABC Special…

Thoughts?

P.S. Yo John, Mrs. Iguana said no to my pornstache. …so circa 80’s porn!

Anonymous Tip? Comments? Contact us: hr AT iguanabio DOT com

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