Real Story of Discriminatory Firing

In 1996, Karen responded to an advertisement for a customer service representative at a U-Haul office. Some of the duties for the position included answering phones, renting trucks, and installing trailer hitches. The manager at the U-Haul office interviewed Karen for the position and she was subsequently hired.

A few days after starting her position, Karen answered a phone call from the U-Haul Company of Maine president. The president was surprised to be speaking to a woman. Karen later found out that he felt that women were not supposed to be installing trailer hitches, and a male replacement was hired. Karen's manager called her a few days later and told her that it was beyond his control, but she was being fired. He explained that "the only problem you have is you sit when you pee." Karen was awarded the maximum amount allowed by law.

Romano v U-Haul Intern., 233 F.3d 655, 660-661 (1st Cir. 2000).