Los Angeles Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer

State and federal laws protect pregnant individuals against workplace discrimination. But it’s not always obvious what types of actions are considered pregnancy discrimination. A Los Angeles Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer can help you fight for your rights.

Employees face discrimination when they experience unfair treatment or punitive actions based on their pregnancy and/or recent childbirth. This protection extends to any pregnancy-related conditions, such as high blood pressure, requiring bed rest, and gestational diabetes.

You also cannot be fired, demoted, or passed over for a job because you are pregnant, were pregnant, or might become pregnant. California laws protect all pregnant persons, regardless of their gender identity or expression.

Not everyone who faces pregnancy discrimination is aware of the laws. Or they may have felt intimidated or been too ill to report any issues at the time. However, that doesn’t mean that your employer or former employer shouldn’t be held accountable. You may be eligible for back pay, lost wages, or reinstatement to your former position.

There are statutes of limitations for pregnancy discrimination cases, but every case is unique. An employee rights attorney can help you understand the current laws and what options you currently have.

Pregnancy discrimination in the workplace takes many forms.

It can also occur after the employee returns from their maternity leave in the following ways:

• An employer denies pregnancy-related benefits, leaves of absence, or reasonable accommodations because the employee isn’t married
• An eligible employee is denied Pregnancy Disability Leave.
  • Important changes were made to this law in January 2021
• An employer fires or demotes an employee to a lower-paying job after they return from Pregnancy Disability Leave or maternity leave
• An employer refuses to coordinate reasonable accommodations for a pregnant employee, such as:
  • A request that heavy objects be placed higher to reduce lifting
  • A move to other, less strenuous job duties
• An employer asks a job candidate if they have ever been pregnant, are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant
• A work site lacks an appropriate lactation accommodation to pump breast milk
• An employer or coworker makes inappropriate remarks about an employee’s pregnancy or any pregnancy-related benefits

When appropriate, pregnant individuals should speak with their employer’s HR department about any discrimination they face. California’s pregnancy and family leave laws are complex. In some cases, it’s a matter of a supervisor not understanding their obligations as an employer.