United States employment laws protect you against unfair discrimination, but sometimes employers still discriminate against their team members. Find out what you need to know about pregnancy discrimination in this article.
Pregnancy brings with it many new experiences and feelings. During this time, you should be focused on things like choosing the perfect nursery set and selecting the right baby name. You shouldn’t be worried about losing your job. Unfortunately, pregnancy discrimination happens. This can take many forms. Maybe your boss let you go as a result of your pregnancy. Perhaps your coworkers and team members are making derogatory or unwelcome remarks about your pregnancy on a frequent basis. Maybe you’re about to have your child and your boss has forced you to take time off from work when you don’t want to. Although pregnancy discrimination is illegal in the United States, it does still occur. If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination because of your pregnancy, there are a few things you need to understand.
1. You don’t have to tell your boss that you’re pregnant.
In the United States, you are not legally required to inform your employer that you are pregnant or that you may become pregnant in the future. Whether your pregnancy was planned or a surprise, it is not something that you are obligated to talk with your employer about unless it impacts your ability to perform your regular duties.
2. You don’t have to take time off from work.
Sometimes an employer may urge pregnant employees to take time off from work; however, this is not a legal requirement as long as you are physically able to continue performing your regular tasks at work. As long as you are comfortable and able to continue working, you are free to do so. If you begin to feel pressured by your employer to take time off from work or your boss begins to give you a hard time about working, save all of your correspondence and emails about the issue so you can show your attorney.
3. Your employer can’t discriminate against you based on your marital status.
If you are pregnant but unmarried, your employer cannot treat you differently than they would a married employee. Your marital status should play no role in your health or work-related benefits. Even if your place of employment is a religious business, you are still entitled to receive benefits and appropriate treatment during your pregnancy.
Don’t face pregnancy discrimination alone. Reach out to a lawyer who can help you during this time. The right employment law attorney can help you navigate the legal world and ensure that you’re able to move forward effectively. Whether your boss has been harassing you about taking time off during your pregnancy or you have been fired as a direct result of your pregnancy, it’s time to fight for your rights. Call today to schedule an appointment and find out what your options are for moving forward..