Former Worker with Bee Allergy Sues Maine Company

A Maine woman with a life-threatening allergy to bee stings has sued the bread company she worked for, saying she was forced to choose between her job and her safety when scheduled to work at a bee-friendly fairgrounds.

The Bangor Daily News reports Brenda Taylor of Warren was a retail clerk at Borealis Breads. She sued last month in Knox County Superior Court.

Company founder Jim Amaral says the company believes it didn’t discriminate against Taylor.

Company officials say Taylor “walked off the job site” before the Common Ground Country Fair schedule was posted and that they had no medical evidence about her bee allergy. Two other workers said her allergy was well known.

The company’s table at the fair features samples of granola and other sweet items that attract bees.