Barnard College Allegedly Fires Pregnant Employee To Avoid Maternity Leave Pay

[ad_1] by Kandiss Edwards September 4, 2025

Shakira Zahiruddin is working with the Transport Staff Union after being laid off by Barnard Faculty.

Shakira Zahiruddin is accusing Barnard Faculty, an all-women’s establishment, of firing her to keep away from compensation for maternity go away.

The eight-months-pregnant custodian alleges the school violates seniority protocols and feminine rights. Zahiruddin believes the establishment deliberately canceled her employment to keep away from compensating her throughout maternity go away, the New York Submit reported.

Zahiruddin, a mom of two, mentioned she was let go by way of electronic mail on Aug. 26. Throughout her press convention on the TWU Native 264 Union workplace in Brooklyn, she spoke about her disappointment within the choice of the ladies’s faculty.

“You wouldn’t actually anticipate that on account of what they stand for,” she mentioned. “I truthfully don’t know what I'm going to do.”

Based on the ex-employee, shedding her revenue at such a essential time presents quick hardship. Zahiruddin is now confronted with questions on assist her two youngsters in addition to her soon-to-be new child.

“I really feel left alone, and I'm extraordinarily nervous for my children shifting ahead,” she mentioned through the press convention. “How might an all-women’s faculty simply not care?” she added, calling the transfer “unjust and inhumane.”

Underneath her union’s collective bargaining settlement, layoffs should adhere strictly to seniority, the union says. But, a male custodian employed almost 4 months after Zahiruddin, was saved on the janitorial employees. Retaining an worker with much less time labored prompted Zahirudden and the Union to imagine the choice was neither honest nor reliable. The grievance declares the motion “a deliberate try and erase a senior employee’s rights.”

TWU Native 264 President Joseph Rose condemned the school’s actions.

“They're simply wanting on the financial side,” he mentioned.

The union is demanding Zahiruddin’s reinstatement, full advantages, again pay, and a assure of her maternity go away.

Barnard maintains the layoff was not on account of Zahirruddin’s well being situation. As an alternative, the establishment contends there may be college-wide restructuring affecting 77 full-time positions. A Barnard spokesperson mentioned the modifications had been pushed by operational wants and complied with union procedures. The varsity confirmed that affected union members had been knowledgeable of alternatives to reapply for open positions. But they don't clarify how Zahiruddin’s seniority was ignored.

But for the expectant mother, the timing stays devastating. The wage she relied on for revenue and well being advantages expired six days after her launch. The timeline lands simply forward of her anticipated supply date. Now, with no job or protection, she’s left to fret how she’ll assist her household and handle the excessive prices of motherhood alone.