Crime & Safety

Former Studio City Bartender Sues Employer for Pregnancy Discrimination

Amanda Lambert alleges Kings Head Inc. supervisor said her attire was "too Midwest conservative, not California hooker," before firing her.

By City News Service

A former bartender at a Studio City pub is suing her former employer, alleging she was fired because she was pregnant and that she was told by her supervisor that her apparel was "too Midwest conservative, not California hooker."

Amanda Lambert filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, naming Kings Head Inc., owners of The King's Head II pub at 12969 Ventura Blvd. Her allegations include pregnancy discrimination, wrongful termination, failure to prevent discrimination, negligence and both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Lambert wants unspecified monetary damages. A representative of the pub could not be reached for immediate comment.

Find out what's happening in Studio Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lambert left another bar job to start work at the King's Head in May 2012. Although some other female servers and bartenders wore tank tops with shorts or skirts, Lambert preferred pants, the suit states.

A month after Lambert became pregnant in June 2012, the pub's general manager, Kevin Willis, told her that the owners did not like her, the suit states. Lambert had never been disciplined or warned about poor job performance, and Willis was the only person at the bar she told about her pregnancy, according to the suit.

Find out what's happening in Studio Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In July 2012, Lambert got a text message from Willis, telling her to go to a meeting, according to the lawsuit, quoting the text: "I just don't know if it's going to work out here ... you'd be a better server and have only one shift, but you told me you can't overdo carrying trays and food."

At the meeting, Willis told Lambert that the pub's owners were unhappy that she did not dress like the other girls, stating, "Yeah, too Midwest conservative, not California hooker," the suit states.

The meeting ended with Lambert being fired by Willis, according to the suit.

"Ms. Lambert was terminated due to her pregnancy and denial of the right to wear pants," the suit states.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.