For many women and couples, starting a family requires much careful consideration, especially for families in which the woman works. One of the most common concerns is how the mother’s decision to get pregnant might affect her career. In all 50 states, it is illegal to engage in workplace discrimination against pregnant women, but what does that truly mean?
We know that laws protecting workers are not always easy to understand. Using the Pregnancy Discrimination Act as our guide, we would like to highlight several things that your employer cannot do if you are pregnant. This should help you identify any workplace discrimination that occurs against you if you are working while you are pregnant. Our staff also wants you to know that your rights as a pregnant worker have both state and federal level protections.
- Your boss cannot fire you just because you are pregnant
- Your employers cannot treat you differently than they treat other workers
- Your boss cannot reduce your hours based solely on pregnancy
- Your superiors cannot allow you to suffer harassment because of pregnancy
On the state level, Michigan’s Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act also prohibits workplace discrimination revolving around pregnancy. This act also states that employers may not treat a pregnant woman any differently than they treat other workers with limits on their physical abilities. This part of the act ensures that women suffering from pregnancy-related medical issues will receive fair treatment in their jobs.
We invite you to continue reading our website if you need to learn more about any form of workplace discrimination. You may also reach out to us for detailed assistance.