Oprah Winfrey's OWN network Sued for Sex Discrimination by Former Employee

Oprah Winfrey attends a panel during the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, California January 6, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Oprah Winfrey's cable network OWN is being sued by a former employee who claims she was fired from the network because of her pregnancy, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

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On Friday, Carolyn Hommel has filed suit against OWN for sex and pregnancy discrimination. Hommel began working for OWN in 2010 as a senior director of scheduling and acquisitions. She says she was on her way to becoming a vice president but had to take maternity leave and was temporarily releaved of her responsibilities. Hommel also claims that upon her return she was excluded from meetings.

Hommel claims her former boss, Michael Garner, then purposely gave her poor performance reviews so she would seem unqualified for the vice presidential position she was applying for.She was fired from the network on March 19, 2012, only a month after giving birth.  

Hommel says the networks actions were connected to her pregancy leave.