Carolyn Hommel has sued the network for unspecified damages. She is claiming that the company intentionally didn't pay her out vacation time and overlooked her for a promotion because of her pregnancy, the Deadline Hollywood reported.
She alleges that she suffered from "acts of oppression, fraud, or malice" from defendants OWN and Michael Scott Garner, the network's SVP of Planning, Scheduling and Acquisitions.
"Hommel has suffered and will continue to suffer damages in terms of lost wages, lost bonuses, lost benefits, and other pecuniary loss according to proof Hommel has also suffered and will continue to suffer anxiety, worry, embarrassment, humiliation, mental anguish, and severe emotional distress," read her suit, filed in LA Superior Court yesterday.
Hommel was let go from OWN in March 2012 in a restructuring following a doctor's ordered medical leave related to her pregnancy.
She claims at the time she was encouraged to apply for a new VP position being added to her former department but she never got the job. Instead the position went to a contract employee.
"Hommel was qualified for the vice president position, but Defendants hired a non-pregnant individual who did not suffer from medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth," says the complaint.
