There is no reason that a pregnancy should be something that causes problems at work. However, some employers regard it as an impediment to getting the job done. Because of how many women are discriminated against either due to being pregnant or because of the possibility that they may get pregnant one day there needs to be a law against it.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act was passed over 40 years ago to help protect women in the workplace. Despite the fact that there has been a law on the books for some time, there are still times when employers discriminate against pregnant women.
If you are worried about getting pregnant and keeping your job then you need to know your rights. In this article, we will go over what these rights are so you can work in peace and then enjoy your family.
Your federal rights
To better promote an inclusive workplace, the federal law on the books makes sure that a pregnant woman is able to continue working without fear of discrimantion or retaliation.
They are protected against being fired, not hired, passed over for promotions or being denied health insurance coverage, among other things. Many of the discriminatory practices are quite obvious and when confronted with them will make an easy case for a discrimination lawyer.
There are other less obvious ways that a woman can feel discriminated against due to being pregnant. One would be that an employer feigns concern for the well being of the pregnant woman by denying her the ability to travel for a conference or business trip, for example. Or, they may not give any accommodations for the condition such as a comfortable seat in which to work or more frequent breaks. Even these issues are illegal under the federal law.
There is also the Family and Medical Leave Act which allows for unpaid temporary leave due to being pregnant. If you’ve worked for a year or 1,250 hours for the company and it has over 50 employees, then you can keep your job if you have to leave for maternity.
Find an advocate
Before you have to find a lawyer to make a case for discrimination, you should be able to get your employer to follow the law. You can find an advocate or advocate for yourself by making sure the employer knows what is required of them by federal or local law.
There are organizations that can send a letter to your employer outlining your rights in a particular situation that can make a big difference in how you are treated. For instance, if your employer tries to make you take unpaid leave rather than offer a reasonable accommodation, an advocate sending a letter outlining their obligations will either set in motion those accommodations or become evidence of unfair treatment.
It’s important to have this letter if you are to go before the courts, but in many cases, an employer will concede and accept the conditions.
