Long gone are the times when an employer can lawfully fire a woman for getting pregnant or refuse to hire a woman of child-bearing age. The law provides strict protections for women against pregnancy discrimination, which is a form of sex discrimination, under the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).

Unfortunately, many employees continue to experience various forms of pregnancy discrimination that can cause financial and emotional harm. If you believe you have been a victim, do not wait to speak with a Los Angeles employment law attorney about your situation and legal rights.

Your Rights Under the Law

There are many rights that women have in relation to pregnancy or childbirth and their employment. The following are some examples:

• The right to reasonable accommodations due to pregnancy or related disabilities, such as not having to lift heavy objects, being able to take additional breaks, and more
• The right to take proper leave from work as allowed by the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the state Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) law
• The right to be free from unfair treatment, adverse employment decisions, or harassment at work due to pregnancy or childbirth

It can be difficult to know whether you were the victim of unlawful pregnancy discrimination or other violations of employment laws. If you have any concerns at all, our Los Angeles pregnancy discrimination lawyers can evaluate what happened for you.

Common Types of Pregnancy Discrimination

Each case of pregnancy discrimination is unique, and discrimination can take many different forms. The following are some examples of how pregnancy discrimination might look in the workplace:

• A prospective employer asks you whether you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant in your job interview or on an application.
• A prospective employer comments on your pregnancy and refuses to hire you as a result.
• Your employer refuses to give you a pay raise or promotion because you are pregnant.
• Your employer transfers you to a less desirable assignment or cuts your shifts or hours significantly after learning you are pregnant.
• People at work make harassing comments regarding your pregnancy, and your employer fails to stop the hostile work environment.
• Your employer denies you the leave you are entitled to under the law or does not hold your job when you take leave.
• You are terminated after your employer learns you are pregnant or might become pregnant.
• Your employer refuses to provide reasonable accommodations when requested without showing the accommodation would cause hardship.
• Your employer takes any type of adverse employment action against you after they learn you are pregnant or after you request pregnancy leave or reasonable accommodations.

 

Your employer also cannot discriminate against you for any medical conditions you develop related to your pregnancy or childbirth. These might include back problems and pain, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, lactation issues, and conditions that lead to required bed rest, among others.

Holding Your Employer Liable for Pregnancy Discrimination

Pregnancy discrimination can cause emotional distress, but it can also lead to significant financial losses if you are terminated, have your hours reduced, or are denied a deserved promotion or pay raise. If you experienced unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation at work, the law allows you to take action to hold your employer accountable for all related losses.

The process of seeking compensation and other legal relief can be complicated, however. There are specific steps you must take, including filing a claim first with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). It is best to allow an experienced attorney to handle this process for you, especially since you need to focus on your health during or after pregnancy.

Our legal team will evaluate your rights and advise you of the best course of action to hold your employer liable for unlawful discrimination. We assist you every step of the way and seek the full legal relief you deserve based on your specific circumstances.

Discuss Your Situation with a Los Angeles Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney

Being pregnant or having a child should be a celebrated occasion, and you should never have to deal with fallout at work because of this personal life event. If your employer took adverse action against you, allowed you to be harassed, or retaliated against you for taking pregnancy or childbirth-related leave, you should discuss the matter with a trusted Los Angeles pregnancy discrimination lawyer right away.