Are you experiencing pregnancy discrimination in your workplace? If you have been unable to resolve the issue through informal mediation, you might want to consider taking legal counsel. By contacting and hiring pregnancy discrimination lawyers Los Angeles based women employees can protect their legal rights and also get assistance in any other claims they might have.
What is pregnancy discrimination?
Pregnancy discrimination is the unfavorable and unpleasant treatment that pregnant women may face in their workplace. It includes being refused reasonable work accommodation for issues arising due to the pregnancy and maternity leave. Even though such treatment is illegal, it can happen due to resentment, annoyance, or other reasons.
When employers hire people for the short or long term, they expect them to work to their schedule, complete assigned tasks and meet weekly goals. Some of them may not be pleased about reassigning tasks and making other workplace changes due to an employee’s pregnancy. They might also not appreciate the employee taking frequent rest breaks, leaving work early to visit the gynecologist, or asking for time off for health concerns related to her pregnancy. And their annoyance could manifest itself in taking retaliatory and discriminatory actions.
What are the types of pregnancy discrimination?
The different types of pregnancy discrimination that many women report experiencing in their work include the following:
• Being dismissed from their job
• Being pressurized to resign from their job
• Being demoted from a job position
• Being placed on involuntary leave
• Being made redundant from the job
• Being refused a job offer
• Being passed up for a promotion they deserve
• Being denied a scheduled salary increase
• Being refused participation in work training programs
• Being given fewer work assignments and reduced pay
• Being given poor work reviews for no valid reasons
• Being criticized for taking rest breaks or leaving early
• Being subjected to snide and vulgar remarks
What are your legal rights?
The state employment laws in California and the federal laws in the United States prohibit workplace discrimination against pregnant women.
The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)
The FEHA in California covers employers who have five or more employees. You can find its pregnancy discrimination act in two legal provisions:
• The California Governmental Code 12940 (a) prohibits employers from discriminating against people due to their sex.
• The Pregnancy Disability Leave Law (PDLL) entitles female employees to take four months of unpaid leave if they are disabled because of pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition.
California Family Rights Act (CFRA)
Employers that come under the CFRA must allow their women employers up to 12 weeks of family care or medical leave per year after they give birth. The act also applies to women who have adopted or fostered a new child.
The 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)
An amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, this federal law protects women employees from discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. Employers have to treat pregnant employers fairly and keep their positions open for returning after taking maternity leave.
The 1995 Federal Family Medical and Leave Act (FMLA)
As per the FMLA, new parents with a biological, foster, or adopted child can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid family or medical leave.
When should you hire a lawyer for pregnancy discrimination?
You can consider hiring a lawyer for pregnancy discrimination if your employer and co-workers disregard your attempts at mediation and continue making it difficult for you to work normally in your place of employment. By hiring pregnancy discrimination lawyers Los Angeles based women employees can get capable legal representation to uphold their case.
It is essential to research and select a reputable lawyer with prior experience handling pregnancy-related discrimination cases. Many lawyers offer a free initial consultation, and you can take that opportunity to inquire about their previous success rates. Additionally, you might want to get a clear estimate of the legal expenses that you might incur. During the consultation, the lawyer will review your case and determine if it will be legally admissible in court. If they agree to accept you as a client, they will interview witnesses, gather the necessary evidence of pregnancy discrimination, and represent you in court.