A federal jury Friday awarded $380,000 to Kristine Buffone, 32, who had sued Rosebud Restaurants, claiming that she was discriminated against when she became pregnant.
Kristine Buffone, 32, who worked at La Rosetta restaurant, said she was removed from the work schedule when her pregnancy became noticeable in July 2003. Buffone, a manager at the restaurant, had planned to work until her due date in November 2003.
Buffone's attorney, Eugene Hollander said his client testified that a supervisor told her: "You're getting too big -- we have to get you out of here."
There was also testimony that a restaurant cook said: "'No one wants to see a pregnant lady while they're eating dinner. It's disgusting,'" Hollander said.
Buffone said a manager took her off the schedule in July 2003 and that an executive instructed her to start family and medical leave. "There was absolutely no issue with Kristine's performance,'' Hollander said.
The jury awarded Buffone $55,000 in back pay, $75,000 in compensatory damages and $250,000 in punitive damages.
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