Although great strides have been made for equality, prejudice and social injustice still exist. A common form of discrimination occurring in California workplaces these days is pregnancy discrimination. Highlighting an alarming trend, almost 3,200 cases citing pregnancy discrimination were filed last year with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Pregnant workers in the United States are protected by the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act.
An amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against an employee based on pregnancy, childbirth or other pregnancy-related medical conditions. Several things fall under the law’s realm of protection. Under the law, an employer cannot deny a woman employment due to pregnancy or conditions related to pregnancy.
This act also prohibits discrimination regarding pay, promotions, training, layoffs, firings and other conditions of employment. Also, if pregnant employees are temporarily unable to perform job duties due to pregnancy, they must be treated the same as other disabled employees. Health insurance is big benefit to full-time employment, and any health insurance provided must also cover expenses pregnancy-related conditions.
It seems that more and more employers these days are discriminating against pregnant employees. Laws such as the Pregnancy Discrimination Act have been established to protect pregnant employees. Those in California who have faced any form of discrimination in the workplace could benefit by seeking the services of a legal representative. Victims may be able to hold offenders accountable through a lawsuit. Damages from a successful claim could replace lost wages and cover any monetary losses that may have occurred due to this traumatic experience.