What are Your Rights as a Pregnant Employee?

As a pregnant person in the workforce, you have a right to fair and equal treatment. Unfortunately, far too many pregnant employees end up facing discrimination due to their pregnancy. It is essential to understand both your rights as an employee and what constitutes workplace discrimination so that you can take action if it happens to you.

Through this blog post, we will explore the rights of pregnant employees in today’s working world, shed light on some common forms of workplace discrimination faced by them, and how they can fight against such violations of their rights.

Understanding Your Rights to Reasonable Accommodations During Pregnancy

Knowing your rights is essential to protecting yourself during pregnancy. You’ll be happy to know that the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 amended the Civil Rights Act to protect pregnant people from discrimination in the workplace regarding hiring, firing, promotion, and fringe benefits. Additionally, it requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for any condition related to pregnancy or childbirth upon request if such an accommodation does not put an undue burden on the employer.

Reasonable accommodations may include changes in work schedules and allowances for light duty, modified tasks and disability leave as needed. Understanding these rights is incredibly important for pregnant workers — employers must be held responsible if they are denying rights or trying to skirt their obligations by getting out of providing accommodations.

When to Seek Legal Assistance if You Feel You Experienced Pregnancy Discrimination

Pregnancy discrimination is a serious issue. Knowing when to seek the legal assistance of an experienced attorney can make a big difference in protecting a person’s rights. If someone suspects they may be experiencing pregnancy discrimination, it is important for them to speak up about their concerns and act accordingly. Seeking the advice of an attorney will allow the person to understand their legal rights and how best to respond to protect those rights from being violated.

How to Talk with Your Employer About Your Needs

Learning how to effectively communicate your needs to your employer is essential for a successful and constructive working relationship. To ensure that your message has the desired effect, you should be honest, well-prepared, and remain professional in tone. Taking the time to explain the reasons behind your needs clearly and thoroughly demonstrates that you understand the situation at hand and are serious about making progress.

Furthermore, don’t be afraid to take initiative by proposing solutions that might help solve any problems which may arise. Doing so shows maturity, and accountability and communicates to your employer that you value their opinion. With a thoughtful approach and careful consideration of these tips, you will no doubt make significant headway in communicating with your employer more successfully.
If you are unable to get the reasonable accommodations that you deserve, then it may be time to contact a professional employment lawyer. The team here at Zat Law (https://www.zatlaw.com/) can help you navigate the legal system to ensure you get the justice and compensation you deserve for experiencing pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.