California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) establishes strong protections for pregnant mothers, and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act also forbids pregnancy discrimination on the federal level. While California’s law applies to more employers and provides more comprehensive protections, both laws prohibit discrimination.
Unfortunately, employers sometimes discriminate despite the clear laws prohibiting this behavior. When and if this occurs, those who suffer losses need to understand their rights. A Burbank pregnancy discrimination attorney at Yadegar, Minoofar & Soleymani, LLP can help you to take legal action and pursue justice so you can get compensation for your losses.
Call our pregnancy discrimination lawyers in LA today to schedule your free consultation with a member of our legal team and learn more about how we can represent you.
What Workplace Rights Are Guaranteed for Pregnant Women?
In California, the Fair Employment and Housing Act and other local and federal laws provide certain guarantees for pregnant women. Specifically, you are entitled to:
- Reasonable pregnancy accommodations in the workplace are required when necessary so you can continue to work while pregnant. This could include, for example, switching you to lighter duty work or providing a place for you to sit down or more frequent breaks.
- Protection from discrimination. You cannot be treated differently in your job because of being pregnant, or because you might become pregnant or have a child. An employer cannot refuse to hire you, nor can they fire you, demote you, or deprive you of promotions or other workplace benefits because of your pregnancy.
- Protection from a hostile work environment. If you face workplace harassment based on your pregnancy, childbirth, or caring for your child, your company could be held responsible for hostile work environment discrimination if they don’t stop the wrongful behavior
The right to return to your job, or a comparable job, after you take pregnancy leave
You may also have a right to pregnancy disability leave if you have a pregnancy-related condition, as well as child bonding leave under the Paid Family Leave Act in the state of California.
What Should You Do if You Are the Victim of Pregnancy Discrimination?
If you are discriminated against based on your pregnancy, you can file a claim with California or federal agencies, and you may be able to pursue a civil lawsuit to try to get compensation for losses, reinstatement at your job, or other remedies.
To help protect your career, finances, and potential legal remedies, you should:
- Document any discrimination or unfair treatment based on your pregnancy. Keep copies of emails, correspondence, Slack or Teams communications, medical records, diaries, witness information, and other details you may need to prove a pregnancy discrimination claim
- Make sure you make a formal complaint to HR. If you are being subjected to a hostile work environment or your manager is denying reasonable accommodations, make a complaint and get the issue in writing.
- Contact an experienced employment attorney. A Burbank pregnancy discrimination attorney at Yadegar, Minoofar & Soleymani, LLP will help you gather evidence, navigate the legal process of pursuing a complaint, and fight for you to get the money and remedies you deserve.
The sooner you take action and begin documenting and responding to the discrimination in Los Angeles, the stronger your claim will be.
Contact a Burbank Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney Today for Help
Pregnancy should be a joyful miracle, not an excuse to treat you badly at work. If your employer acted inappropriately in violation of the law, contact a Burbank pregnancy discrimination attorney at Yadegar, Minoofar & Soleymani, LLP today so we can begin putting together your claim.