Some employers do not want to hire you if you are pregnant. They might think that you will be unable to do your job, cost them extra money, adversely impact the image they want to portray or that it will somehow upset people.
While these attitudes are widespread, the law makes it clear they are not acceptable in an employer. Any company refusing to hire you because you are pregnant could breach Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Do you need to tell a potential employer that you are pregnant?
You do not have to mention your pregnancy on a job application or in an interview. If an employer asks, you do not need to answer, and you could report them.
There is one reason that an employer can turn you down for a job if you are pregnant. They can do so if your pregnancy will prevent you from doing your job. For example, an employer could justify turning you down for a role as a stunt woman, but then you would probably not apply in the first place.
Employers need to make provisions that allow you to do the job
The law expects employers to make reasonable accommodations for your pregnancy. Let’s say you are applying for a job where you stand on your feet all day. As your pregnancy progresses, you might not be able to stand for hours at a time. If you can carry on doing your job from a chair, your employer needs to provide you with one. Other reasonable accommodations could include allowing you more frequent rest breaks or changing your hours slightly.
If you feel an employer has committed pregnancy discrimination, it is essential to look at your legal options. Becoming a mother should not cost you the opportunity to work.
