Expecting a Child, Not a Proposed Termination Notice
Expectant parents often remain hard at work until the birth of their child, eager to earn as much as they can to welcome their child with the best possible life. Despite their dedication to their job, mothers are frequently unfairly discriminated against based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
What Pregnancy Discrimination Looks Like
Pregnancy discrimination happens when an individual is treated unfairly simply because of their pregnancy. It can include:
- Demoting a pregnant employee
- Firing a pregnant employee
- Removing a pregnant employee from a supervisory position
- Forcing a pregnant employee to take time off
- Rejecting requests for reasonable accommodations or time off
- Refusing to hold a pregnant woman’s job while she is away on maternity leave
- Refusing to hire a job applicant because they are pregnant
Understanding Your Rights
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) protects expectant women from negatively disparate treatment based on their pregnancy, recent birth, or associated medical condition. Expecting workers can be granted additional protection under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
It is unlawful for your federal agency employer to treat you differently because you are pregnant. Likewise, it is unlawful for an employer to deny hiring or to fire an employee for being pregnant. Facing discriminating employers can be intimidating, but do not let that deter you from pursuing what you deserve.
Legal protections pregnant individuals can expect include:
- Time off for doctor appointments,
- Modified work duty or job assignment,
- Paid or unpaid leave,
- Allowance to continue to work for as long as you are able,
- Return to work after allotted time off, and
- Hold your position open for the same length of time as any other medical leave.
Furthermore, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-16, will protect pregnant mothers by granting them reasonable accommodations in the workplace. Under the statute, expecting employees must be given the same leniency and flexibility in tasks as is afforded to other temporarily disabled workers.
Top-Rated, Award-Winning EEOC Attorneys
Pregnancy discrimination is against the law and should be treated as such. You deserve to be heard if you are pregnant and have been treated adversely or fired due to your pregnancy. Our top-rated and award-winning attorneys understand the intricacies of federal employment law and unlawful discrimination, and we can help you with your case. The complicated and often frustrating process of filing an EEO complaint can put undue stress on you and your unborn baby, don’t face it alone.
If you have been wrongfully discriminated against because of your pregnancy, contact a top-rated and award-winning federal EEOC lawyer from The Law Firm of John P. Mahoney, Esq., Attorneys at Law, PLLC. We will fight to protect your rights and the future of you and your child. Call us today at (202) 350-3881 to get started.
