A grieving mother who lost her newborn son was sacked from her job after bosses accused of having a "negative attitude", a lawsuit alleges.
Serena Bhaduri, from New York, was let go from her job at USA Today just months after returning from bereavement leave.
The advertising sales director gave birth to a son in November but the tot passed away in January in tragic circumstances.
Bhaduri returned to her full-time role in February but alleges she was harassed by unsympathetic management shortly thereafter.
A lawsuit filed at a Manhattan court claims her line manager “cruelly accused” her of “having a negative attitude that … caused her coworkers to suffer low morale”.
Bhaduri also alleges that she was "micromanaged" in her job - despite the fact that she was named one of USA Today’s top salespersons in 2018 .
She asked HR if she could be given a new line manager but the application was rejected, reports the New York Post .
Cross, who had admitted that she never managed a pregnant employee before, “scolded” her and “accused her of insubordination” once she heard about the request.
In July, Bhaduri told her bosses that she was once again pregnant - a decision which she claims ultimately led to her sacking.
On Aug. 13, fired Bhaduri, claiming that she “contributed to a toxic workplace,” and “did not take direction well,” according to the lawsuit.
"She notified them that she was pregnant and within days was terminated. That's unacceptable. I think what makes this case worse is they did that knowing the background," Bhaduri's lawyer told CNN.
"Apparently, if you get pregnant more than one time in a two-year span that's a problem."
The lawsuit, which alleges workplace discrimination and retaliation, is seeking damages to be determined at trial, including compensation for "emotional distress".
The Mirror has contacted Gannet - USA Today's parent company - for comment.
