Pregnancy can be a thrilling but daunting time in any woman’s life. It impacts how you work, but you have rights and accommodations to your job that ensure you are fairly treated in this position.
However, despite California’s laws against pregnancy discrimination, many expecting women still experience unfair treatment from their employers. They can face harassment and potentially lose their jobs. This only adds to the emotional and financial trials they already face during pregnancy.
What you can do
If any discrimination against your pregnancy happens at your workplace, you can hold your employer accountable. For example, a Los Angeles restaurant and night club will pay $82,500 after losing a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit against the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The restaurant was accused of reducing hours for one of their employees after finding out she was pregnant. They eventually removed her from the schedule and refused to allow her to work again after she gave birth.
Your rights as a worker
This is a violation of federal law and goes against the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. The lawsuit states that this is not the first worker to experience pregnancy discrimination at the restaurant.
The EEOC will review the establishment’s discrimination and harassment policies to make any necessary adjustments and provide training to the restaurant’s workers on the matter. They commend the restaurant for willing to take the right steps towards creating a healthier workplace.
Employers must provide the necessary accommodations for pregnant workers and treat them properly to avoid negatively impacting their work environment. Failing to do so can violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and make those workers eligible for a lawsuit against the company. Those workers can seek out an attorney to help them prove their employer’s discriminatory actions to the court.