Former Employee Alleges Spa Discriminated Against Her Because She Was Pregnant

CORONA (CBSLA.com) — A former health spa employee who said her employer discriminated against her after she got pregnant will soon see her case go to trial.

Dana Apuzzo worked for Glen Ivy spa for nine years. At the time of her pregnancy, Apuzzo worked in the corporate office training staff and earning commission on products and services.

According to Apuzzo, her boss told her "that I wasn't going to be a good employee when I returned from pregnancy leave."

"When I came back from maternity leave I was faced with a significant demotion," said Apuzzo.

"It's a lot of stress," she said. "You don't know if you're going to be able to support your baby."

She said she eventually resigned.

Apuzzo's lawsuit names both the spa and two executives, including the company's CEO.

The spa, which has locations in Corona and Brea, denies the claim. Though he declined to speak on camera, Glen Ivy's CEO issued a statement Monday:

"Glen Ivy employs a majority of women in our workforce. The majority of senior leadership (at Glen Ivy) are women and they have families. A majority of them have small children. The majority of our guests are women. To think that we would be capable of what we have been accused of in the media is not possible," the statement reads.

But Apuzzo's attorney said there are a total of four clients who have made similar allegations against the company.

"What we've found in the course of discovery is a pattern of retaliation and discrimination against women who become pregnant," said Dan Stormer, Apuzzo's attorney.

For Apuzzo, whose daughter is now 2-years-old, the case is about making sure others don't have the same experience.

"I just don't want it to happen to anyone else," she said. "It has to stop."

The case has been in the courts for nearly two years. It is expected to go to trial at the end of July.