Business Accused Of Denying Jobs To Women Returning From Maternity Leave

DOS PALOS, Calif. (AP) - Officials say an orchid farm in Central California broke federal law by refusing to give women returning from maternity leave their jobs back.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Wednesday said it filed a lawsuit against Dash Dream Plant. The company is located in Dos Palos, California, 65 miles northwest of Fresno.

The EEOC's Melissa Barrios says at least four women accuse the company of pregnancy discrimination.

Officials say in staff meetings managers told the women not to get pregnant because there were already too many of them; they told workers the next to get pregnant should consider herself fired.

By law, businesses with 15 or more employees have to hold a job for women returning from maternity leave.

Dash Dreams did not respond to a request for comment.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.