Pregnancy discrimination is a serious issue in the workplace. In this type of discrimination case, employees or potential employees are mistreated due to their pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. Pregnancy discrimination can take on various forms, from biased hiring practices to unequal treatment once a person is employed.
Pregnancy discrimination is illegal under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), which amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect against such discrimination. Still, despite legal protections, pregnancy discrimination remains a common and often overlooked challenge in many work environments. Recognizing the signs can be very important for those who believe their pregnancy may impact their career prospects.
Signs of pregnancy discrimination in the workplace
One key indicator of pregnancy discrimination is being maltreated during the hiring process. For example, if a candidate is rejected after revealing they are pregnant or planning to take maternity leave, it could be a case of discrimination. Similarly, if an employer expresses concerns about an employee’s ability to do the job because of their pregnancy or requires them to take on fewer responsibilities without a valid reason, that may be discriminatory behavior.
Another sign is when an employer does not offer the same accommodations or benefits to a pregnant employee that they provide to other employees with similar medical conditions. If a pregnant worker is denied reasonable accommodations, such as a modified work schedule or light duty, while others are granted such accommodations for different medical conditions, this could signal pregnancy discrimination.
Also, employees may experience negative changes to their work environment after announcing their pregnancy. For instance, if an employee faces hostile treatment from coworkers or supervisors, is sidelined from key projects or experiences job demotion without justification, these could be forms of discrimination. In some cases, employees may be discouraged from taking maternity leave or experience retaliation for taking time off, which is also prohibited under the law.
It’s important that employees understand their rights, and if one suspects they are experiencing pregnancy discrimination, taking action to protect those rights is essential.
