Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, it is illegal in the United States to discriminate against someone in an employment setting for being pregnant. Unfortunately, this does not stop many women from facing professional consequences for pregnancy and giving birth. But what exactly is pregnancy discrimination, and what should you do if it happens to you?
What is Pregnancy Discrimination?
In the context of employment law, pregnancy discrimination is when an employer improperly discriminates against an employee for being pregnant, or for dealing with issues related to pregnancy. It also affects women who have recently given birth and are dealing with issues related to caring for their children. It is considered a form of sex discrimination, targeting women in the workplace who choose to have children.
What Does Pregnancy Discrimination Look Like?
Pregnancy discrimination can take a number of forms. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Using insulting or derogatory language towards pregnant women
- Firing women who become pregnant
- Forcing women to take maternity leave before they are ready to do so
- Hiring a permanent replacement for a worker who went on maternity leave
- Refusing to grant promotions or raises to pregnant women
- Failing to give reasonable accommodations to pregnant women
- Refusing to give reasonable accommodations to women who are breastfeeding
- Punishing workers who report pregnancy discrimination
What Are the Effects of Pregnancy Discrimination?
When employees become the victims of this type of discrimination, it can negatively impact both their career and their personal lives. They may find themselves dealing with lower pay, harsh working conditions, and if they lose their jobs, they may effectively need to restart their professional lives. A lack of reasonable accommodations may also increase the chances of health complications from the pregnancy due to overwork or undue strain.
What Should You Do
If you or someone you love has been the victim of pregnancy discrimination, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling employment law issues. They can help you review your legal options and ensure you get the best possible outcome for your circumstances. The sooner you get in contact, the sooner they can get to work for you.
If you have an employment issue, give the Law Office of Andrew Ross Sack a call. Andrew Ross Sack is a New York and New Jersey employment lawyer who has considerable experience in handling the many aspects of labor and employment law. To schedule a consultation with New York City/Long Island/Westchester employment lawyer Andrew Ross Sack, call (516) 526-3319 or visit his contact page.
