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 The number of jobless claims filed for unemployment benefits fell last week to 460,000 nationally.  Unfortunately, the number of claims is still higher than what analysts had been predicting.

The AP notes that while this indicates that the economy is finally starting to grow again, things are still very painful out there for a significant number of workers.  They go on to state that this recession is the worst the country has faced since the 1930s.  

Source: AP News

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 I am preparing for a trial next month in a case in which my client's employer fired her while she was out on maternity leave.  So I have been spending some time this week reading and exploring the web to find out what people are thinking and talking about right now with regards to pregnancy and work. 

Came across an interview with Sharon Lerner, the author of "The War on Moms."  She has an interesting take on the state of maternity leave laws in the U.S.  Her focus is not so much on the "choice" of continuing work or staying home after having a baby.  Instead she focuses on the practical context in which most women have to make that choice: economic pressure, social expectations, etc. and she reaches the conclusion that many. . . or even most women don't feel like they have much of a choice at all.  

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 A federal jury on Monday found that the U.S. unit of Swiss drug maker Novartis AG engaged in a "pattern or practice" of discrimination against its female employees. 

Following a six-week trial, the jury issued a verdict ordering the company to pay a class of women employees $3.3 million in compensatory damages.  On Tuesday, the jury awarded $250 million in punitive damages against the company.  

The lawsuit on behalf of about 5,600 current and former women employees alleged that while working for Novartis, they were systematically denied promotions, paid less and subjected to differential treatment.

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