Columbia, Maryland Pregnancy Discrimination Attorneys

Legal Options for Employees Facing Pregnancy Discrimination in Columbia, MD

Pregnancy is an experience that should be filled with excitement and anticipation, but for many employees, it can also bring about concerns regarding job security and fair treatment in the workplace. Despite legal protections, pregnancy discrimination continues to affect many workers, jeopardizing their careers and the financial stability of their families. When an employee is treated unfairly or differently because of their pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, they may be able to make an employment discrimination claim to address these issues. Freedman Law, LLC can help employees understand and exercise their rights as they address issues related to pregnancy discrimination. Our firm also provides guidance to employers to ensure they maintain compliance with the law, and we can provide representation in cases where they are accused of discrimination in the workplace.

Family Medical Leave Violations

Under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employees who work for qualifying employers have the right to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for medical reasons, including issues related to the birth of a child. A mother may take leave when her child is born and to provide care for the newborn. A child's other parent will also have the right to take family medical leave to provide child care and help their family adjust to the arrival of their child. Leave can also be used if the employee has a serious health condition related to pregnancy, such as the requirement to remain on bed rest. However, some employers may unlawfully deny or interfere with an employee's right to take FMLA leave. Violations can include refusing to grant leave, pressuring an employee to return to work early, demoting an employee or engaging in other forms of retaliation for taking leave, or refusing to allow an employee to return to their former position after taking leave.

Wrongful Termination

The most blatant forms of pregnancy discrimination often involve situations where employees are wrongfully terminated because of pregnancy. Some employers may unlawfully terminate a pregnant employee under the pretext of poor performance or company downsizing, when in reality, the termination is based on factors related to the employee's pregnancy, such as the belief that they will no longer be able to focus on their job responsibilities. Employers may also engage in more subtle forms of wrongful termination, such as pressuring an employee to resign or creating a hostile work environment to force the employee out. Pregnant employees should know that it is illegal for an employer to fire or otherwise penalize them because of their pregnancy or related medical conditions.

Refusal to Provide Reasonable Accommodations

Pregnant employees or new mothers may require accommodations to ensure that they perform their job duties while also meeting their personal needs. Reasonable accommodations may include more frequent breaks, temporary reassignment to a less strenuous position, modified work schedules, or rooms where mothers can pump breast milk privately. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the business. Unfortunately, some employers refuse to provide the necessary accommodations, placing pregnant employees at risk of harm or forcing them to take unpaid leave. Employees should know that they have the right to request reasonable accommodations and should not be penalized for doing so.

Other Illegal Actions by Employers

In addition to the more obvious forms of discrimination, employers may engage in other illegal actions that disproportionately affect pregnant employees. These can include:

• Harassment: Unwelcome comments or behaviors by coworkers or supervisors related to an employee's pregnancy that create a hostile work environment.
• Unequal Treatment: Denying promotions, raises, or other job opportunities to pregnant employees while offering them to non-pregnant employees.
• Benefits Denial: Refusing to provide health insurance coverage or other benefits that are typically offered to other employees.
• Failure to Rehire: Refusing to reinstate an employee to their previous position or a comparable one after they return from maternity leave.

Legal Help for Employees Who Have Experienced Pregnancy Discrimination

Freedman Law, LLC is dedicated to helping employees protect their rights and seek justice for discriminatory treatment. Our experienced employment law attorneys can provide the guidance and representation needed to address pregnancy discrimination effectively. We can help file discrimination complaints with federal or state agencies, work to negotiate settlements with employers, or pursue litigation in court to ensure that a victim of discrimination will be compensated for their financial losses.

Representation for Employers in Pregnancy Discrimination Cases

Pregnancy discrimination allegations can have serious legal and financial consequences for businesses, and our firm can help address these issues effectively. We can help employers develop and implement clear anti-discrimination policies that include protections for pregnant employees. We can also provide legal representation when negotiating agreements with employees or defending against discrimination lawsuits. We will work to protect an employer's reputation and financial interests while seeking to resolve these matters quickly and efficiently.

Contact Our McLean, Virginia Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyers

The team at Freedman Law, LLC can address legal concerns related to discrimination, including representing people who have experienced pregnancy discrimination and providing assistance to employers as they navigate these cases. We work to protect the rights of our clients, and we strive to ensure that justice is served and that employees are treated fairly in the workplace. Get legal help with these matters by contacting our firm at 410-290-6230. We assist with employment discrimination cases and other employment law issues in and around McLean, Rockville, and Columbia.