Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer

Are You a Victim of Pregnancy Discrimination?

Pregnancy should be a joyous time filled with anticipation of the new life you’re welcoming. While it comes with its challenges, your workplace should never be one of them. Unfortunately, many expecting employees experience unfair treatment like pay cuts, workplace hostility, or even job loss simply because they’re pregnant.

At the Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C., we understand how difficult this can be, and we’re here to fight for your rights. If you’ve faced discrimination due to pregnancy, it’s time to take action.

What Is Pregnancy Discrimination?

Pregnancy discrimination happens when an employer or colleague treats you unfairly because of your pregnancy, a related condition, or your plans for maternity leave. These acts can significantly affect your job or career growth, and they are illegal under federal laws such as the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. Examples of pregnancy discrimination include:

Denying promotions, raises, or job opportunities.
Making inappropriate remarks or showing bias against pregnant employees.
Mishandling maternity leave requests or failing to provide proper maternity leave pay.
Penalizing employees for pregnancy-related illnesses or absences.
Failing to provide reasonable accommodations.

If you recognize any of these actions in your workplace, you may have a valid legal claim.

What Is Not Considered Pregnancy Discrimination?

It’s important to note that not all situations qualify as pregnancy discrimination. For instance, if your employer temporarily restricts you from using certain workplace facilities or assigns modified duties purely for health and safety reasons, this may be legal. However, reasonable accommodations must also be applied fairly to others with comparable conditions. Our team can evaluate your case to determine if your employer’s actions qualify as discrimination.

Legal Protections Against Pregnancy Discrimination

You are protected under multiple federal and state laws that prohibit discriminatory treatment based on pregnancy or related conditions.

Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978: Prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions for companies with 15 or more employees.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 1964: Offers broad protection against employment discrimination.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: Requires reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Protects against discrimination when pregnancy-related conditions qualify as disabilities.

These laws are in place to ensure fair treatment, reasonable accommodations, and protection against illegal job actions. If your employer does not comply, you have the right to pursue legal remedies.

Common Forms of Workplace Pregnancy Discrimination

Here are some of the most common discriminatory practices employees often report:

Denial of maternity leave.
Refusing to reinstate roles after maternity leave.
Targeting pregnant employees for redundancy or layoffs.
Penalizing employees for conditions like severe morning sickness or other pregnancy-related illnesses.
Failing to accommodate medical restrictions tied to pregnancy.
Discriminating in hiring or promotions based on family planning or pregnancy.

If you’ve experienced any of these, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to fight this battle by yourself.

Reasonable Accommodations Employers Must Provide

Employers have a legal obligation to make reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related needs, as long as they don’t impose an undue burden on the business. These accommodations can include:

Extra or longer breaks for rest, eating, or breastfeeding.
Modified schedules or exemption from overtime.
Remote work arrangements.
Light duty or reassignment to less physically demanding roles.
Time off for prenatal appointments or recovery.
Adjustments to equipment or workspaces to meet medical needs.

If your employer refuses reasonable accommodations, they could be violating your rights.

Why Partner with the Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C.?

Our firm is dedicated to protecting individuals like you from workplace injustices. We offer:

Free Case Evaluations to determine if you have a claim.
Aggressive Representation to ensure your rights are upheld.
Results-Driven Advocacy in seeking appropriate remedies such as recovering lost wages, damages, and accommodations.

Pregnancy discrimination claims can be complex, with strict time limits for filing a case (300 days under the EEOC or one year under state agencies). Acting quickly is critical to ensuring your rights are protected.

Take Action Today

If your livelihood or well-being has been affected by pregnancy discrimination, don’t wait any longer to get the help you deserve. At the Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C., we’re committed to fighting for your rights and holding employers accountable for their actions.

Empower yourself to take the next step. We’re ready to fight for you. Are you?