Attorneys Lori E. Andrus and Jennie Lee Anderson, founding partners of Andrus Anderson LLP, have expertise in pregnancy discrimination lawsuits. Enforcing the rights of pregnant women is an important goal of the work Andrus Anderson LLP does.
Pregnancy discrimination happens when a woman (applicant or employee) is treated unfavorably because of pregnancy, childbirth or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth.
Under federal law, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act forbids discrimination based on pregnancy in all aspects of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoffs, training, fringe benefits (such as leave and health insurance) and any other term or condition of employment.
If a woman is temporarily unable to perform her job due to a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, her employer must treat her in the same way as it treats any other temporarily disabled employee. For example, the employer may have to provide light duty, alternative assignments, disability leave, or unpaid leave to pregnant employees if it does so for other temporarily disabled employees.
It is also unlawful to harass a woman because of pregnancy, childbirth, or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth. Under federal law, harassment is illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision (such as the woman being fired or demoted).
To read more about protections afforded to pregnant women or new mothers by federal anti-discrimination laws, go to:http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/pregnancy.cfm.
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act also prohibits harassment and discrimination based on pregnancy. To read more about protections available under California law go to:http://www.dfeh.ca.gov/Publications_StatLaws_PregDiscr.htm.
If you believe that you have been unfairly treated based on the fact that you are pregnant, contact Andrus Anderson today for a free legal consultation.