Employment Discrimination Against Pregnant Workers And New Moms

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 doctor’s 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 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.

We Fight For Pregnancy Rights

Our pregnancy discrimination attorneys have held major employers accountable for pregnancy discrimination under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the California Family Rights Act (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 Fair Employment and Housing Act 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.

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 We 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 at 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.

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.

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