Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer

When a woman is pregnant and she requires some form of an accommodation because of her pregnancy, where she's having a difficulty with her pregnancy or performing some aspects of her job before delivery of her child, she is entitled to request a pregnancy disability leave. Some of these types of conditions are preeclampsia, eclampsia, hyperemesis, gestational diabetes, ectopic pregnancy, gestational hypertension, back pain, sciatica, swollen feet, women who are experiencing these pregnancy-related disabilities are entitled to receive accommodations. Accommodation can include temporary transfer to a less strenuous position, having someone do heavy lifting, sitting instead of standing, such as cashiers, tellers, or security guards, the ability to take bathroom breaks. Additionally, it can involve time off of work. In serious pregnancy disabilities, often women are confined to bed rest. This law is designed to create such an accommodation for women who need it to try to have a successful healthy pregnancy. Many accommodations also include working from home. An employer is not required to create a new position. If you have to take time off, you're entitled to have up to 4 months protective leave. It's best to let your employer know as soon as you believe this will be the case to give them notice to try to adjust for your absence. While on disability, you can use sick leave, personal time off, or vacation pay to try to keep your income stream coming. During your leave, the employer is required to maintain your health insurance. There are penalties for denying accommodation, for terminating someone, or retaliating against them for exercising their right to pregnancy disability leave. We have handled countless cases for women who have been discriminated against when they have identified to their employer that they are pregnant or when they've asked for some form of accommodation. Still, unfortunately, we're in a male-dominated environment, and men often perceive that a pregnant woman may not be able to make the same commitment to their job as before. This law says that's not okay. If someone has been denied an accommodation, terminated, or retaliated against, they have the right to recover damages, which include emotional distress, fear, anxiety, humiliation, as well as recovering for any lost wages they may have. If you or someone you know has suffered from pregnancy discrimination, get in contact with us here at the Dolan Law Firm. We've helped a number of women through this most difficult period of time, and we won't stand for this type of abuse.