Can Your Employer Discriminate Against You During Pregnancy?

 Posted on February 12, 2025 in Discrimination & Retaliation

If you have found out that you are pregnant, this can be an exciting time full of activities to prepare for the baby’s arrival. Yet, for some people, a positive pregnancy test may also bring anxiety about how you may be treated when your employer finds out you are pregnant.

Thankfully, the law has protections in place forbidding discrimination during pregnancy. An experienced Maryland pregnancy discrimination attorney can advise you on your rights during this time and represent you if you believe you are facing discrimination during pregnancy.

What is Pregnancy Discrimination?

If your employer has treated you differently because you are pregnant by, for example, demoting or firing you, denying you reasonable accommodations related to your pregnancy or childbirth, or treating you unfairly, this may constitute pregnancy discrimination. 

What Laws Protect You Against Pregnancy Discrimination?

Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) a pregnant worker may not be discriminated against in all aspects of their employment including hiring, firing, promotion, benefits, and pay. The law applies to employers with 15 or more employees. It also forbids employers from having policies in place limiting pregnant workers from working merely because of their status as pregnant or of childbearing age.  

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) requires employers to provide accommodations to a worker who is pregnant. The Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA) also forbids employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating against pregnant workers. 

What Rights Do You Have as a Pregnant Worker?

If you are pregnant, you have certain rights under the law, including: 

• The right to work without being discriminated against because you are pregnant. 

• The right to return to your position when your pregnancy leave is over under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Maryland Parental Leave Act (PLA).

• The right to request reasonable accommodations to be able to work while pregnant. 

• The right to take up to 12 weeks of leave from your place of employment to give birth and recover from childbirth, depending on your employer’s size and the number of hours you work. 

Call a Potomac, MD Employment Discrimination Attorney 

Facing discrimination at your workplace during your pregnancy can put emotional and financial stressors on your family at the worst possible time. That is why it can help to speak to an experienced Montgomery County, MD pregnancy discrimination lawyer. The skilled representation at Freedman Law, LLC is supportive and aggressive with errant employers, and is here to safeguard your rights against workplace pregnancy discrimination. Call our office at 410-290-6232 for a consultation to speak to our attorney at a reasonable price.