If you had been born many decades ago in California or just about any other state, grew up, got married and learned you were expecting a baby, you’d likely be like most all women of your era and quit your job (if you had one outside the home) to stay home and raise your family. Nowadays, it’s very different from the typical Americana past. Many women are working mothers who joined the workforce by either economic need or mere personal desire.
Either way, if you are currently expecting a baby, you undoubtedly were not born many decades ago. If you happen to be one of thousands of women who had planned to keep working throughout your pregnancy and even after your baby is born, then you were probably shocked and dismayed when, not long after sharing your happy news with your employer, you were fired.
Pregnancy shouldn’t cost you your job
Any woman who has ever carried a child in pregnancy and navigated the labor and delivery process, understands that while there is no typical journey, most expectant mothers face several discomforts and challenges along the way. However, that is not supposed to include job insecurity or discrimination in the workplace. Following, are signs that you are being ostracized simply because you are pregnant:
- If your boss and/or co-workers lit into you with off color jokes, ornery attitudes, insults or rudeness once you told them you were pregnant, it may be a sign that they view your condition as unfavorable. If you can prove that they direct such unsavory treatment at you, in particular, because you are pregnant, you may have a legal situation on your hands.
- If you are used to receiving positive feedback for your work and have had nothing but negative reviews since sharing your pregnancy news, it may be a sign of workplace discrimination.
- Did your boss tell you that you might be in line for a pay raise, and then he or she passed you over after you announced your pregnancy? You may want to further investigate the situation.
- If your boss unexpectedly called you into his or her office and told you that the company no longer needed your services not long after you happened to mention to your employer that you are pregnant, it might be because you are a victim of pregnancy discrimination.
In 1964, the passing of the Civil Rights Act prohibited, and still prohibits, discrimination of certain characteristics or protected groups in paid employment environments. The last thing you need while trying to stay healthy and calm during pregnancy is to face extreme stress or loss of your job for unlawful reasons. Other California women who have had similar experiences, solved their problems by reaching out for experienced guidance.
An employment law advocate knows the ins and outs of the civil justice system and is well versed in the Civil Rights Act and other federal and state regulations that govern workplace discrimination issues. Often, fair and agreeable solutions can result from skilled and aggressive litigation.