Some employers are not keen on employees becoming pregnant. They see it as a disruption and as something that could affect their bottom lines. Even though, without women becoming pregnant, no employer would have anyone to employ.
California law offers significant rights and protections to pregnant employees. Learning more about them can help you understand whether your employer is meeting their responsibilities toward you.
Your employer must make reasonable accommodations for your pregnancy
There will come a stage in your pregnancy where you can no longer perform your job as before. For instance, you could no longer be able to stand at a counter for hours on end because you tire more easily. Or you can no longer climb the stepladder to get things down from the shelf because your pregnant belly prevents you from seeing your feet.
Your employer should make allowances for you to continue doing your job as best as you can for as long as you wish. Then, once you have given birth and wish to return to work, they should make allowances to help you do so.
Examples of reasonable accommodations could include allowing you to sit instead of standing, moving you to a less strenuous role, allowing you extra breaks or providing a place and time for you to express milk.
To get these accommodations, you need to ask for them, giving your employer advance notice where possible. You may also need to present medical documentation to support your requests.
If you are unsure about what you can ask for or feel your employer is not meeting their legal responsibilities toward you, consider legal help to learn more about your options.