In most work settings, letting your boss know that you are pregnant usually elicits congratulatory remarks and efforts to help make the pregnancy as easy and wonderful as possible. But for two women, becoming pregnant recently caused the termination of their employment. Here are their stories. Employee #1: Taylor King Nick’s Sports Grill is chain […]
You Just Lost Your Job Because You’re Pregnant Read More »
Pregnancies are marvels of Mother Nature. It’s amazing how just a few seemingly simple cells can turn into the biological machine we call a human being. Given the complexity of the gestation process, it’s not surprising that pregnancy complications can occur. However, understanding that so many things could go wrong during a pregnancy doesn’t make
Kroger Employee Brings Class Action Lawsuit for Pregnancy Discrimination Read More »
In June, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) of the U.S. Department of Labor issued a final rule revising prohibitions against sex discrimination (including pregnancy discrimination and sexual harassment) in guidelines for federal contractors. Though the law has dramatically developed over the years, these guidelines have largely remained unchanged since 1970 when Richard
Pregnant Federal Contractor Employees Protected Under New Rules Read More »
Generally, employers need not treat pregnant employees’ limitations as if they are disabilities. However, if the employee has developed a disability while pregnant, that disability may need to be accommodated because of the pregnancy. An employer also needs to provide similar accommodations to employees with similar limitations, regardless of whether they are pregnant. If a
Does My Employer Need to Accommodate a Pregnant Employee Like a Disabled Employee? Read More »
Under federal law, Title VII, failing to accommodate a pregnant employee’s restrictions may be illegal, depending on the circumstances. A violation of the law would be especially clear if male or nonpregnant female employees with similar physical limitations are accommodated while pregnant employees are told they cannot get help. This situation recently led to a sex
Does an Employer Have to Help a Pregnant Employee With Her Physical Limitations? Read More »
Losing your job to a person who is not pregnant, solely because of your pregnancy, would violate state and federal law. In these situations, employers may try to cover up their motivation by claiming there is not enough work, laying off a pregnant employee, and quietly replacing her. Employers may also fabricate reasons to fire
Can I Be Replaced Because of My Pregnancy? Read More »
If you have been fired or suffered an adverse employment action like a demotion or pay cut because you are pregnant, your employer may have violated federal and state laws. Those laws prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and sex. These laws are meant to discourage employers from acting as if an employee
Can I Be Fired Because I’m Pregnant? Read More »
It is illegal to be discriminated against in employment and your education if the reason is bias against you because you belong to a protected class. Depending on the facts, an internship may or may not be considered employment. In one case, a Michigan woman, Tina Varlesi, successfully claimed that her internship was affected by
Is It Illegal to Be Discriminated Against During an Internship? Read More »
If you’re experiencing a pregnancy with complications, you may be unable to perform the substantive responsibilities of your job. In such situations, you may be considered “disabled” and receive discrimination protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). But, depending on the facts of your employment situation, your employer may legally refuse to
Court Finds Pregnant Employee Not Qualified to Perform Her Job Read More »
April 27, 2016 America has a complicated relationship with motherhood. Our country constantly talks about how important moms are, but at the same time it rarely follows it up with actual help. In fact, we tend to penalize mothers in the workplace. And now there’s evidence that the so-called “motherhood penalty” can even hurt women
How the Motherhood Penalty Hurts Everyone Read More »
