Common forms of pregnancy discrimination

As an expectant mother and an employee in California, you have certain rights and protections, and your employer may not terminate or otherwise discriminate against you because of your condition. Regrettably, pregnancy discrimination in the workplace is a serious problem affecting many women across California and the United States, even though Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects you.

You may be a victim of pregnancy discrimination in the workplace if you experience the following.

You experience harassment at work due to your condition

Harassment may come at the hands of a direct supervisor, but it may also come from another coworker or even a business client or customer. If you are harassed because of your pregnant condition to the point that it creates a hostile work environment and interferes with your ability to do your job, whoever is harassing you is in violation of federal law.  

You experience different treatment than other disabled employees

As a pregnant employee, you have the same rights and protections of your coworkers who are temporarily disabled for other reasons. For example, if your employer makes special accommodations and offers disabled workers easier or alternative duties, he or she must do the same for you because of your pregnancy.

You do not get the same accommodations regarding leave

If your employer lets other employees with temporary disabilities take leave from the business, with or without pay, he or she must do the same for you because of your condition. Depending on the size of the company and whether you have worked there longer than a year, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 may entitle you to take up to 12 weeks of leave.

You should not experience treatment that is any different than that given to anyone else in your place of business who has a temporary disability. If you are a victim of pregnancy discrimination, consider getting in contact with a lawyer.