How to Protect Yourself Against Pregnancy Discrimination

Pregnancy discrimination is a serious issue in the workplace. Women are protected from discrimination based on their pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions by the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act. 

Unfortunately, this law is not always enforced, and many women face discrimination when they are pregnant or have just had a baby. 

Here are some tips from a pregnancy discrimination attorney in Los Angeles for protecting yourself against pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. 

• Know Your Rights

It’s important to familiarize yourself with your rights as an employee who is pregnant or recently gave birth. The PDA protects you from being treated differently due to your pregnancy. 

You should also familiarize yourself with state and local laws that may provide additional protections beyond those provided by the PDA. 

• Document Everything

Keep track of any work-related actions taken against you while pregnant, such as demotions, pay cuts, job reassignments, or terminations. 

Make sure to keep copies of all documents related to these events and make a note of any conversations that took place regarding your pregnancy or related medical conditions. 

• Speak Up

If you feel like you’re being discriminated against because of your pregnancy or related medical condition, don’t be afraid to speak up immediately. Report any incidents to your HR department right away so they can take action if necessary. 

• Educate Your Coworkers

Many people may not understand the laws around pregnancy discrimination, and they may unknowingly say or do something that could be considered discriminatory in nature. 

Educate your coworkers on what constitutes discrimination so they can be aware of their own behavior and help protect others from facing similar issues at work.

• Get Support from Others

Don’t do it alone. Find other coworkers who can support you during this difficult time and offer advice on how best to handle the situation if needed. 

Consider joining a support group specifically for expectant mothers in order to get advice from people who understand exactly what you are going through at work due to pregnancy discrimination.

• Look Into Legal Options

If all else fails, consider speaking with a pregnancy discrimination attorney in Los Angeles about filing a lawsuit for pregnancy discrimination against your employer if necessary. 

You should also consider filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission if you have been discriminated against due to your pregnancy or childbirth. 

• Take Care of Yourself

Don’t forget that taking care of yourself is extremely important during this time as well. Make sure you are taking time off when needed and eating healthy meals throughout the day in order to maintain your health while dealing with any potential stressors related to workplace discrimination.

• Find Alternate Employment

If things become too difficult at work due to persistent harassment or discrimination, start looking for alternate employment elsewhere before it becomes too unbearable. 

• Don’t Let Fear Stop You

Don’t let fear stop you from speaking out about any discrimination that you experience while pregnant.

Know that there are laws in place that protect pregnant women from unfair treatment at work, and don’t hesitate to use them if needed. 

• Create Support Systems

Create both internal and external support systems when dealing with potential issues related to pregnancy discrimination. 

This will help ensure that not only do you have someone on hand who understands what you’re going through but also someone who can offer insight.

Conclusion

Having a baby is an exciting time for many women, but unfortunately, it can also come with its own unique set of challenges, such as facing potential discrimination based on her pregnancy status at work. 

By following these tips, women can protect themselves from unlawful treatment and ensure their rights under the law are respected during this special time.

Additionally, having an understanding of one’s rights under federal law will help create an environment where everyone is treated equally regardless of gender, identity, race, or age. 

By implementing these strategies into everyday life, women everywhere can feel safe knowing their rights will be protected no matter what comes their way during this special period in life.

Click here if you need the help of an experienced pregnancy discrimination attorney in Los Angeles.