Laws Protecting Women from Pregnancy Discrimination

Under the prevailing laws, pregnant women should be provided with equal employment opportunity given that their condition is not affected by their job performance. Moreover, the tasks given to them should not endanger the life of the baby.

These provisions are clearly stated through the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), which is an amendment to the Title VII of the United States Constitution. Based on this act, employment discrimination is forbidden to be committed against pregnant women during childbearing, childbirth, and other conditions related to pregnancy.

This law applies to workers under companies with 15 or more employees including state, federal, local government offices, employment agencies, and labor organizations. The law is effective under the following processes of employment: 

• Health insurance – Pregnant employees should receive the same treatment just like regular employees. In line with this, they should be provided with the same insurance policies given to disabled workers.

• Pregnancy and Maternity leaves – A pregnant employee should be permitted to have leaves without the threat of termination.

• Hiring – Any employer is prohibited from rejecting applicants who were pregnant because of their present condition, as well as commit any discrimination based on their pregnancy. 

• Fringe – Pregnancy-related benefits should not be limited to married employees. These benefits should be offered to all female employees regardless of the rank and classification.

Pregnant employees who were harassed, discriminated, or wrongfully terminated because of their condition have the right to defend themselves as stated under existing federal and state laws. These employees are suggested to seek the legal assistance of a Los Angeles wrongful termination lawyer especially if the case occurred in California. 

California has been notorious for various employment violations and it is possible that many pregnant women have experienced maltreatment there. As it is, the huge population paves the way for abuse since authorities could not check the employment processes of many companies all at once. Fortunately, there are wrongful termination attorneys in the place who could help workers in asserting their rights. Lawyers have the capability to gather evidences and witnesses, which the client may have difficulty in doing due to her current state.