Oprah Winfrey, OWN, Carolyn Hommel, Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit: Oprah's OWN Hit with Surprising Lawsuit from Former Employee Carolyn Hommel

Oprah Winfrey's cable network, OWN, is facing a surprising pregnancy discrimination lawsuit from former senior director of scheduling and acquisitions, Carolyn Hommel. According to the lawsuit filed on Friday, Hommel was "freezed out" of her job without promotion consideration due to her pregnancy. She started working at the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in 2010 and developed a great track record of success as evident in her first year's performance review. Hommel became pregnant and informed her superiors in August of 2011. Due to a pregnancy-related health issue, she had to take a two-week medical leave. While away from the office, Hommel discovered her boss, Michael Garner, hired a temporary replacement for the pregnant employee. Upon Hommel's return to her post, the surprising discrimination continued with her responsibilities gradually being taken away from her and exclusion from meetings. In March of 2012, one month after giving birth, Hommel was informed that she had been laid off. Carolyn was encouraged to reapply for her position, which she did. Hommel claims that her boss fabricated a performance review, making her senior vice president position and its responsibilities and performance seem less 'senior.' As a result, Carolyn Hommel did not get her job back.

Hommel believes that these actions are a direct result of her pregnancy and her requiring a medical leave as a result of complications. Michael Bononi and Christy Granieri of Bononi Law Group are now representing Hommel. The lawsuit is alleging causes of action for disability discrimination, sex discrimination, failure to prevent discrimination, retaliation and willful failure to pay wages after discharge or termination. Hommel is seeking unspecified damages from OWN and her old boss, Michael Garner. An OWN representative has yet to respond to any requests for comment regarding the suit.

Oprah Winfrey is not listed as a defendant in this lawsuit and is not being held responsible for any of the actions of OWN and Garner. The network is co-own by Discovery Communications and debuted on January 1, 2011, replacing the Discovery Health Channel. Programming ranges from documentaries, strips, original programming and acquired movies. Some celebrities involved with the network include Winfrey, Rosie O'Donnel, Dr. Phil, and Sarah, Duchess of York. The network is still struggling with ratings and finding an audience. With the addition of Carolyn Hommel's discrimination lawsuit and what it will do to the network, it seems as if the future of OWN is pretty bleak.