Pregnancy Discrimination
At Ryan Employment Law, we believe that mothers should have the opportunity to work before and after pregnancy without facing discrimination in the workplace.
Title VII’s prohibition on sex discrimination in the workplace also prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy and related medical conditions. Employers may not terminate, refuse to hire, or commit any other adverse employment action because an employee is pregnant or has recently had a child. Employers must also provide accommodations related to pregnancy.
Pregnancy discrimination is a form of gender discrimination that violates federal and state laws. It is illegal for employers to treat pregnant employees unfairly due to their pregnancy or related conditions.
Pregnant employees have the right to be free from discrimination in hiring, firing, promotions, and other employment decisions. They are also entitled to reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions.
Pregnancy Discrimination Act
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (“PDA”) of 1978, which amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act made it clear that discrimination against pregnant women is discrimination against women based on sex. Pregnancy discrimination can come in the form of being fired, denied a promotion, having work hours cut down, or any other adverse employment action. Pregnancy discrimination can occur because an employee is pregnant, an issue related to childbirth, or a pregnancy-related medical condition, like IVF, or abortion.
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations. A pregnant employee may need accommodations if the employer knows of limitations that the employee has related to the pregnancy or childbirth. As in other classes, the accommodation must be reasonable, and it cannot cause the employer an undue hardship.
In both of these acts, the employer must have at least 15 employees. For some certain larger employers, a woman may qualify for unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”).
Stand Up Against Pregnancy Discrimination
If you have faced pregnancy discrimination in the workplace, contact us today for a free consultation. Let us fight for your rights!