Court Case Puts PFA Discrimination on HR Leaders' Radar

A Maine federal ruling lets protection-order discrimination claims proceed, signaling risk for employers.

HR Solution Journal News Desk

Editorial illustration: Two large golden heraldic shields rest upright on a stone pedestal against a dark blue background, the left shield intact and gleaming, the right shield bearing a dramatic jagged crack splitting it nearly in two.

AI-generated editorial illustration.

A U.S. District Court in Maine allowed protection from abuse (PFA) discrimination claims to proceed to trial in Poland v. United Parcel Services, Inc., under the Maine Human Rights Act, which bars adverse employment actions against employees who obtain protective orders. The case offers limited prior precedent, making it potentially significant. Attorneys at Brann and Isaacson advise HR leaders to avoid penalizing employees holding PFA orders, ensure protective order restrictions are observed in the workplace, and document all responses carefully. They also caution against treating domestic-violence-related workplace conflicts as purely personal matters outside employer responsibility.

Source: HR Daily Advisor. Original announcement: October 16, 2026.