Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer in Irvine

If you experienced pregnancy discrimination at an Irvine workplace, you have strong protections under California law. We represent employees only, never employers, and offer a free, confidential consultation. 1-800-371-3088.

What Is Pregnancy Discrimination in Irvine

Irvine workers have a strong stack of pregnancy protections. California Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) under Cal. Government Code section 12945 provides up to 4 months of job-protected leave for pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition - applies to employers with 5 or more employees. California Family Rights Act (CFRA) bonding leave under Cal. Government Code section 12945.2 adds up to 12 weeks of job-protected bonding leave (also at 5+ employees). Federal FMLA (29 U.S.C. section 2612) adds another 12 workweeks but only at employers with 50+ employees within 75 miles. FEHA (Cal. Government Code section 12940) also requires reasonable accommodation for pregnancy-related conditions.

Irvine Industries Where Pregnancy Claims Are Most Common

• UCI faculty, staff, and academic-healthcare workers - including hospital workers at UCI Medical Center and UCI Health - Irvine. Hospital workers often face accommodation denials for lifting, standing, or shift restrictions during pregnancy.
• Life-sciences and medical-device workers - at Edwards Lifesciences and AbbVie / Allergan.
• Tech and gaming workers - at Blizzard Entertainment and other Irvine Spectrum tech employers.
• Corporate and IT workers - at Ingram Micro, Mazda North American Operations, and Taco Bell Restaurant Support Center.
• Public-sector workers - at the City of Irvine, Irvine Unified School District, and South Orange County Community College District.

Irvine Local Protections

Irvine has no separate citywide pregnancy ordinance beyond California state law. California Labor Code sections 1030-1034 and the federal PUMP Act (29 U.S.C. section 218d) require reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom lactation space. UCI Medical Center and UCI Health - Irvine workers who experience retaliation tied to pregnancy or lactation accommodation that also raises patient-safety issues are protected by Health and Safety Code section 1278.5 ($25,000-per-violation civil penalty).

California Law

For the full California framework, PDL, CFRA, federal FMLA, lactation accommodation, and reasonable accommodation for pregnancy-related disability, see our California employment law page.

What Compensation Can You Recover

Back pay, front pay, reinstatement, emotional-distress damages, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees and costs (Cal. Government Code section 12965(c)). California does not cap FEHA damages. For details, see our California employment law page.

How to File a Pregnancy Discrimination Claim in Irvine

State FEHA charges go to the CRD, 320 W. 4th Street, Suite 1000, 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Federal charges go to the EEOC, 255 East Temple Street, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Civil suits are heard at the Orange County Superior Court, Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (complex civil matters at the Civil Complex Center, 751 West Santa Ana Boulevard, Santa Ana, CA 92701). Call us at 1-800-371-3088 before any deadline.