Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer For Pregnant Workers And New Moms

At Bryant Whitten, LLP, our California pregnancy discrimination lawyers represent employees and hold employers accountable when they treat workers or job applicants unfairly because of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions such as lactation needs or severe morning sickness.

Pregnancy discrimination can take many forms, including wrongful termination, harassment, demotions, sudden negative performance reviews, reduced hours, denial of reasonable accommodations or refusal to provide legally protected maternity leave under California and federal law.

Attorney Amanda Whitten brings nearly two decades of experience representing employees across California in serious workplace disputes. Our firm represents employees only, never employers, and we work on a pure contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We have successfully taken on major corporations and are fully prepared to go to trial when necessary, providing focused, compassionate advocacy for workers facing pregnancy discrimination.

Why Bryant Whitten, LLP

Our firm offers distinct advantages for employees facing pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. When considering legal representation, understanding what makes our practice different is important:

• We exclusively represent employees – never employers
• Employment law is our sole focus, providing deep knowledge in this area.
• We operate on pure contingency – clients pay nothing until we recover compensation.
• Our firm invests in your case from day one, unlike firms requiring $5,000 upfront fees.
• We have successfully litigated against major corporations, including Amazon, Walmart and Starbucks.
• We create a safe, confidential environment for clients to share their experiences.

Our dedicated focus on employee rights allows us to deliver effective representation in pregnancy discrimination cases.

How Our Pregnancy/Maternity Discrimination Lawyers Can Help

Our pregnancy discrimination lawyers assist clients at various stages of workplace disputes related to pregnancy and childbirth. We provide support through multiple approaches:

• Review of all available options while you remain employed
• Guidance on communications with HR, management, EEOC or the California Civil Rights Division
• Assistance with proper accommodation requests
• Legal representation for discrimination or retaliation already experienced
• Completely confidential consultations with no obligation to pursue legal action

Many mothers have concerns about speaking with attorneys about workplace issues. All consultations with our firm remain strictly confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege. This initial conversation creates no obligation and poses no risk to your current employment situation.

Proven Results: Empowering Clients Through Successful Case Outcomes

We have settled several pregnancy discrimination cases for hundreds of thousands of dollars in lawsuits against some of the biggest employers in California. These cases started with a confidential consultation with one of our experienced and compassionate pregnancy discrimination lawyers.

• $400,000 settlement secured for a help desk employee at a software company who was terminated while seven months pregnant.
• $250,000 settlement for a logistics manager at a food processing plant who was terminated after raising workplace safety concerns, taking pregnancy leave and advocating for lactation rights for working mothers.

Whether you are still working and want to keep your job or you have quit or been fired, our pregnancy discrimination attorneys are here to support you and fight for your compensation. To see more results, visit our verdicts and settlements page.

Do You Have A Pregnancy Discrimination Case? Strong Legal Protections For Pregnant Employees In California

Some employers have no patience, compassion or scruples when it comes to employee pregnancies. Despite specific rights under state and federal law, pregnancy discrimination is all too common.

• Did your employer terminate you or mistreat you because you got pregnant?
• Were you reprimanded for going to doctors’ appointments?
• Did your employer refuse to make accommodations for your pregnancy?
• Were you forced to take disability leave or maternity leave before you were ready? Or not allowed to return from leave?
• Did your employer refuse to provide you with time and a private place to pump breast milk after you returned?

Employers cannot discriminate, harass or retaliate on the basis of pregnancy. They are also required to make reasonable accommodations regarding medical appointments, pregnancy-related absences and job duties. Bryant Whitten, LLP, can evaluate your case and pursue your legal remedies.

If you believe your rights were violated during your pregnancy or after you gave birth, contact us today for a confidential consultation. We handle employment discrimination throughout Northern California.

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We Fight For Pregnancy And Maternity Leave Rights

Our pregnancy discrimination attorneys have held major employers accountable for pregnancy discrimination under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the CFRA, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Under these state and federal laws:

• You cannot be denied leave for prenatal care visits, morning sickness and other reasons directly related to pregnancy.
• You cannot be disciplined or docked for pregnancy-related absences.
• You cannot be fired for getting pregnant or taking maternity leave.
• You have a right to return to your workplace and the same or comparable job.
• Your employer cannot dictate when you take medical leave.

Under the ADA, pregnancy is recognized as a short-term disability. Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations such as:

• Time off for doctor’s appointments
• Removing tasks that put your pregnancy at risk, such as lifting or being exposed to chemicals
• More frequent bathroom breaks and rest breaks
• Adjusted job duties or production goals

California Laws For Pregnancy And Postpartum Accommodations

California provides additional protections beyond federal law for pregnant workers and new mothers. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and California’s FEHA require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions.

California has established comprehensive legal protections for nursing mothers that exceed those in other states. The combination of California law and the federal PUMP Act creates strong workplace rights for mothers. These laws mandate that employers must provide:

• A private space with a lock that is not a bathroom
• Electrical outlets for breast pumps
• Reasonable break time for breastfeeding mothers

These legal protections prohibit retaliation against employees who exercise their rights under these statutes. A pregnancy discrimination attorney can provide guidance if your employer fails to meet these legal obligations.

Fighting For Pregnant Workers In The Bay Area And Sacramento

The Bay Area and Sacramento rank among California’s most competitive job markets. A growing return-to-office trend affects 77% of Bay Area workers, creating direct conflicts with pregnancy accommodation requests. California law requires employers to genuinely consider remote work as a reasonable accommodation before declining your request.

Bryant Whitten, LLP represents pregnant workers throughout the Bay Area, Sacramento and across California. We meet with clients virtually, so your location is never a barrier; our firm has also successfully litigated cases against major corporations operating in these markets.

Understanding Your California “Know Your Rights” Pregnancy Notice

California’s SB 294 requires employers to give pregnant workers a written “Know Your Rights” notice. These notices use legal language that is difficult to parse, but here is what each term means:

• Pregnancy disability leave (PDL): Entitles you to up to four months of unpaid leave if pregnancy or childbirth prevents you from working
• Reasonable accommodation: Requires your employer to adjust your duties, schedule or workspace to address your pregnancy-related medical needs
• Transfer rights: Allows you to request a temporary reassignment to a less strenuous position during pregnancy
• Lactation accommodation: Requires your employer to provide break time, a private lockable space and an electrical outlet for pumping
• Retaliation prohibition: Bars your employer from taking adverse action when you assert these rights

If your employer has failed to honor that notice, Bryant Whitten, LLP, represents employees only and works on a pure contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy Discrimination

Pregnancy discrimination can leave you unsure about your rights and your job. Below are straightforward answers to common questions we hear from employees across California.

Can I still file a claim if my employer is in San Francisco, but I work remotely from another part of California?

Yes, you can file a claim. California employment law protects you based on where you perform your work, not where your employer is based. Working remotely from within California gives you full rights under state law.

Is my employer required to let me work from home as a reasonable accommodation for my pregnancy?

No, but your employer must seriously evaluate your request. California law requires employers to engage in a good-faith interactive process before denying accommodations. If you can perform your job duties from home, your employer must provide a documented reason for any denial.

Are my pregnancy and postpartum rights the same if I work remotely?

Yes, your rights are the same whether you work on-site or remotely. California law protects you regardless of your work location. You retain the right to leave, accommodations and lactation breaks, and your employer cannot use your remote status to deny you these protections.

Can my employer force me to take leave before I’m ready if they think my job is “too hard” for a pregnant woman?

No. Your employer cannot force you to take leave just because you are pregnant. If you can perform the essential parts of your job, with or without reasonable accommodation, you have the right to keep working. Employers must base decisions on medical advice, not personal opinions or stereotypes about pregnancy. If your doctor recommends certain restrictions, your employer must discuss reasonable accommodations with you instead of pushing you onto leave.

What should I do if my boss starts giving me bad performance reviews right after I share my pregnancy news?

Start documenting everything right away. Save emails, performance reviews and any written communication. Write down dates of conversations and note any sudden changes in your workload, expectations or treatment. If negative reviews began only after you announced your pregnancy, that timing may suggest discrimination or retaliation.

Speak with a pregnancy discrimination attorney as soon as possible to protect your position and preserve important evidence.

What should I do if my Sacramento-based employer denies my pumping break requests?

Document the denial and notify HR in writing right away. California law requires employers to provide reasonable break time and a private, lockable space with an electrical outlet for pumping. If your employer refuses, contact us at Bryant Whitten, LLP. We charge nothing up front.

Speak with a pregnancy discrimination attorney as soon as possible to protect your position and preserve important evidence.

Our Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyers Are Here For You. Contact Us Today!

Contact us for a free initial review of your claim. We are committed to upholding the rights of vulnerable employees, and we are eager to show you how we can help. Call us for a free initial review of your claim at our Fresno office at 559-216-1265, our San Luis Obispo office at 805-328-6206, our Oakland office at 510-901-0774 or our San Francisco office at 415-830-8941 or send us an email to schedule your consultation with our experienced attorneys.

Offices: Fresno · Beverly Hills · Sacramento · Oakland · San Francisco