Pregnancy Discrimination

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 63.1% of mothers with children under 3 years participate in the labor force. And some of them still encounter discrimination. Every year, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) receives thousands of filings related to it. In 2019, the EEOC recorded 2,753 charges alleging pregnancy discrimination. This does not include data from the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. There may also be cases that never reach authorities simply because women may not recognize a discriminatory practice when it occurs.

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An employer engages in pregnancy discrimination whenever it treats a woman unfavorably at work due to her pregnancy, plans to become pregnant, pregnancy-related medical issues or childbirth. Pregnancy discrimination can come in various forms such as:

Termination.
Demotion.
Failure to promote.
Failure to provide accommodations or leave for pregnancy-related medical conditions.
Refusal to hire.
Job assignments.
Education and training.
Bonuses and benefits.
Or any other aspect of employment.

The California Fair Housing and Employment Act and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibit any form of pregnancy-related discrimination. These powerful laws provide for the recovery of any lost income or benefits, emotional distress damages and punitive damages, and the recovery of attorney’s fees and costs of your case.

If you have been treated unfairly because of pregnancy or childbirth, contact us immediately.