Like any other, Pregnancy Discrimination is unlawful under the law. The Equal Employee Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces several laws that prohibit discrimination. Two of the famous laws against discrimination, in general, are the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans Disability Act (ADA). Although ADA stands against discrimination against disabled people, in some cases it includes impairments that arise during pregnancy.

Pregnancy discrimination is when employers or landlords behave in a discriminatory manner when someone is pregnant. This act of discrimination overlaps with gender and sex discrimination. Essentially the law forbids these discriminatory acts and practicing them is a punishable offense.

What is Pregnancy Discrimination at work?

Pregnancy discrimination at workplaces means the unfavorable effects of one’s pregnancy on the hiring process for a job or promotion. Some employers might also fire the individual from the job, reduction of working hours and as well as payment amount, or termination of employment for a certain period of time.

All these acts of discrimination are strictly prohibited under employment laws and are considered punishable offenses. This also includes the act of harassing the employee because of the health conditions that follow pregnancy such as by limiting the hours of work, taking away the in-hand projects, etc.

How to spot Pregnancy Discrimination?

The claims of discrimination are different depending on the type of discrimination. For example, discriminating against an employee by treating him or her differently is a direct violation of the Civil Rights Act and ADA. However, in pregnancy discrimination, employees will not be offered any special rights. The law doesn’t allow pregnant women to be treated differently in their workspace.

So, if the timing for suspension, termination, ceasing promotion, projects taken from you and your team, decreasing your workload and work hours, and decreasing your salary, are suspiciously matching the time of the pregnancy, then it could be a discriminatory act.

What is Pregnancy Discrimination Act?

The pregnancy discrimination Act is a law that stands against discrimination towards pregnant individuals. This act was proposed in 1978, and its main purpose is to stand against discrimination and make equal working rights and opportunities for everyone.

So the next time you are discriminated against because of your pregnancy, you know that you can legally take action against the individual.

Conclusions

All sorts of discrimination are unacceptable in our societies and according to the government. EEOC laws are in place and enforced to make sure that discrimination of any sort is not practiced. Don’t hesitate to stand against these discriminatory acts to make things better for yourself and others around you.