Standing Up Against Job Discrimination Due to Pregnancy

Maternity leave and paternity leave (now called parental or family leave) have recently become newsworthy topics of discussion, and it is about time. Having a baby is a beautiful and inspiring thing, but it also comes with heavy demands on our time, our finances, and our emotions. Moreover, many people feel like pregnancy will ruin their hard working reputation at their workplace or negate their chances of progression in their career. This mentality is reinforced by inadequate parental leave policies, intense pressure from bosses or coworkers to get back to the office, and (in extreme cases) pregnancy and job discrimination. If you’re a victim, the Law Office of Perry Pinon can help.

Stand Up Against Pregnancy Discrimination

Pregnancy discrimination is a form of job discrimination that stems from underlying biases in the workplace. Some examples of this form of discrimination include demoting or terminating a pregnant employee, not hiring someone only because she is pregnant, refusing to treat a pregnant employee with the same care as other temporarily disabled employees, and denying work to someone when he or she returns from parental-leave.

The list is far more comprehensive, of course, and pregnancy discrimination can come in many forms. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes this form of discrimination illegal, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission continues to enforce and reevaluate pregnancy discrimination policies. This means that there are several potential cases of job discrimination related to pregnancy that are not specifically identified by the law. If a pregnant employee needs to visit a doctor, for example, and she is penalized for missing work, this could be a form of pregnancy discrimination.

Eliminating Job Discrimination in Every Form

If you suspect that you are experiencing discrimination due to pregnancy, there are a few things you can do. Make sure to get every request for pregnancy accommodation in writing so that you have evidence of your efforts. You should also make sure to know your rights as a pregnant employee. You can refer to the the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 and the the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) if you wish to learn more about the extensions of the Civil Rights Act in regard to pregnancy.

If you feel helpless to stand up against this discrimination or are simply unsure where to begin in your exploration of the law, you can consult with a law office such as Perry Piñón. Pregnancy is a beautiful gift, and it should never stand in the way of fair employment. Lawyers understand how serious job discrimination is, and they will fight to eliminate it in all forms.