Discrimination in the workplace can take many faces, but one of the most frustrating and inexcusable is that brought against pregnant employees. Pregnancy discrimination is mind-bogglingly widespread, despite the fact that every person within a given company or agency also owes his or her life to pregnancy.
Simply put, some employers take this essential part of the human experience and treat it as an inconvenience or disadvantage in the workplace. Often, pregnancy discrimination occurs before a job is even offered. Many pregnant job applicants worry that their potential employers may pass them over because of their pregnancy, which is more common than you might think. According to the law, it is not permissible for an employer to refuse to hire someone because of a pregnancy.
A pregnant employee must receive the same considerations from an employer as any other employee dealing with a medical condition. If a pregnant employee faces a complication and must take time away from work to recover, the employer must allow this in the same way they would allow an employee with the flu to stay home. If an employer requires all employees to provide a doctor’s note before authorizing insurance payments or time off, the employer may also require this from a pregnant employee.
If you believe that you have suffered discrimination in the workplace because of your pregnancy, you can consult with an experienced employment law attorney. With professional legal guidance, you can review your own circumstances and scrutinize your employer’s actions to ensure that you receive fair treatment as you work to bring another life into the world.
Source: FindLaw, “Facts about Pregnancy Discrimination,” accessed Sep. 15, 2017