JAPAN SUPREME COURTS BACKS DEMOTED PREGNANT WOMAN (STA BREAKING NEWS and ARCHIVES)

by STANews , Thursday, October 23, 2014, 09:59

Japan's Supreme Court has backed a woman who unsuccessfully sued her employer following a demotion due to her pregnancy.

The case involves a physiotherapist who asked for a less strenuous role during pregnancy, but who was not reinstated to her higher position after returning to work.

Earlier rulings had sided with the medical co-operative that employed her.

The case will now go back to the lower courts for retrial.

"Under the gender equality law for employment opportunities, it is illegal and invalid to discharge or treat disadvantageously a female worker due to her pregnancy, as well as due to her request for maternity leave or a lighter workload," the Supreme Court said.

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http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29740055