What Does Pregnancy Discrimination Look Like?
Examples of pregnancy discrimination may include:
- A workplace that refuses to hire a pregnant applicant
- Being asked during a job interview whether you are or plan to get pregnant
- Demoting an employee when they return to work after a pregnancy-related leave
- Firing, disciplining, or harassing an employee for breastfeeding or pumping breast milk
- Forcing an employee to take time off or change jobs or refusing to consider them for a promotion because of pregnancy
- Harassment based on pregnancy (offensive comments, insults, physical assaults, threats, etc.)
- Not providing reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers
- Restricting pregnancy-related family and medical leave
- Retaliating against an employee in some way because they complained about pregnancy discrimination
- Terminating or refusing to promote a pregnant employee
Additionally, under the PDA, a pregnancy-related medical condition such as morning sickness may be considered a temporary disability. An employer is required to provide the same benefits and treatments offered to those with other temporary disabilities.
If You’ve Been Discriminated Against Due to Pregnancy, You Can Fight Back
Many employers think they can get away with pregnancy discrimination and many others discriminate unconsciously based on ingrained stereotypes and biases. However, pregnancy discrimination is against the law and you have the right to fight back.
Talk to a superior if you haven’t already, preferably over email or otherwise in writing so you have a record of the incidences and your complaints. If this doesn’t go anywhere—or even if it does—you may benefit from hiring a lawyer who can collect evidence and build a strong case on your behalf.
By working with us, we will do whatever we can to ensure you get rightfully compensated and that your employer never discriminates based on pregnancy again.
Call (561) 708-4860 or contact us online to learn more during your free no-obligation consultation.