California Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer
Women often have to deal with a lot in the workplace. Not only are they paid less than men, but they have the ability to get pregnant. Pregnancy can make employers weird. While you may be excited about your pregnancy, some employers look at it negatively. They don’t want to deal with an employee who will be away from their job for an extended period of time. They may not want to provide benefits for a pregnant employee.
As such, many women face pregnancy discrimination. They are treated unfavorably by co-workers and managers. They are put in a tough situation as they decide whether or not to leave a job that is providing them with income so they can afford their growing family.
Pregnancy should be an exciting time. If you are stressed out and anxious because of your employer’s actions, seek legal help from an California pregnancy discrimination lawyer from The Garza Firm. We know the laws that protect you.
What Laws Protect You?
There are two laws that protect pregnant women. The first law is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. It prohibits pregnancy discrimination, which includes:
- Current pregnancy
- Past pregnancy
- Potential pregnancy
- A medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth
- Breastfeeding/lactation
- Having or choosing not to have an abortion
- The use of birth control (contraception)
The second law you should know about is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits discrimination against an employee or applicant based on a disability. While pregnancy itself is not considered a disability, some pregnant workers may have an impairment related to their pregnancy that qualifies as a disability, such as gestational diabetes. An employer may have to provide that worker with a reasonable accommodation so they can continue to work in the same capacity.
Types of Pregnancy Discrimination
Pregnancy discrimination can happen in the following ways:
- During an interview, a woman is asked how many children she has and if she is planning to get pregnant again. The applicant says she is pregnant and is denied the job.
- A woman tells her boss at work that she is five months pregnant. Her boss fires her after learning the news.
- A pregnant woman who works in a factory asks her boss if she can stop lifting heavy boxes during her pregnancy. The boss says no, forcing the pregnant worker to quit her job.
- A pregnant woman needs to take time off work to visit her doctor for prenatal care. She is disciplined for missing time from work, even though other workers who need ongoing medical treatment are not disciplined.
Contact The Garza Firm Today
Pregnancy is a personal topic, and no woman should feel as though her job is at stake because she is pregnant.
Pregnancy discrimination is illegal. If you are a victim, the California pregnancy discrimination lawyers at The Garza Firm can help you file a claim for compensation. Contact us today to learn more. Schedule a consultation by filling out the online form or calling (949) 570-8350.
