Pregnancy Discrimination

Under federal and state anti-discrimination law, it is unlawful sex discrimination for an employer to discriminate against a women because of her pregnancy or pregnancy related medical condition. Employers may not refuse to hire or terminate an employee because she is pregnant. Employers also cannot deny a pregnant worker health insurance, medical leave or other benefits and privileges that the employer grants to non-pregnant employees. Employers must treat pregnant employees the same as other employees who are similar in their ability or inability to work.

Laws prohibiting discrimination against pregnant employees exist to protect the rights of pregnant women and ensure that the have the same access to the workplace as other qualified workers.

Testimonial Background
Pregnancy and motherhood are not incompatible with work. Our law firm fights to make sure that expecting mothers and mothers with newly born children have the same opportunities to work as are available to non-pregnant workers.

Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyers Serving the Washington D.C. Area

Correia & Puth, PLLC is committed to eradicating all forms of sex discrimination in the work place, including pregnancy discrimination. The lawyers of Correia & Puth have experience representing pregnant workers who have been terminated or denied accommodation because of pregnancy.  If you believe you have been discriminated because of your pregnancy or pregnancy related medical condition, please contact us.

If You’ve Been Discriminated Against While Pregnant — You Have Rights!

Under federal law, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (“PDA”) prohibits discrimination against pregnant workers. Under the PDA, an employer who allows workers with temporary disabilities to take extended medical leaves of absence must also provide the same opportunity to pregnant employees. An employer may not force a pregnant employee to remain on medical leave until they give birth or prohibit them from returning until a certain period of time elapses following child birth.   An employer may also no institute work place policies that solely affect the working conditions of pregnant workers.

Other federal laws may also provide protections to pregnant workers. For example, in certain circumstances, the Americans with Disabilities Act may impose a duty on an employer to reasonably accommodate an employee’s pregnancy related medical condition. The Family and Medical Leave Act entitles qualifying pregnant workers to take up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave in order to care for newborns or newly adopted children and protects their job while they are out.

State law also prohibits discrimination against pregnant workers, and in some instances, provide greater protection to pregnant workers. In Maryland, for example, the Maryland Pregnancy Discrimination Act mandates that employers provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees suffering from pregnancy related medical conditions. Under the D.C. Human Rights Act, woman have the right to breastfeed and employers are required to provide reasonable break periods to enable a woman to breast feed and to make an effort to provide a clean and private area for a mother to pump. D.C.’s Family Leave Act, also provides up to sixteen weeks of unpaid family leave for that a qualifying employee may use to care for a new born child or to recover from a pregnancy related medical condition.

Call the Correia & Puth Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyers Today!

If you believe you are being treated unfairly or have been discriminated against because of pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, please contact us today.

Practice Areas

Accommodations for Disabilities

We are committed to ensuring that all employees with disabilities have equal access to the workplace.

 

Age Discrimination

We fight employers who use age bias to discourage older workers from staying on the job or keep them from advancement.

 

Corporate Accountability

Corporations must be held accountable for wrongdoing, and whistleblowers often keep employers honest.

 

COVID-19 Protections for Health Workers

If you are a health care worker facing retaliation because you raised concerns, there are laws in place to protect you.

 

Disability Discrimination

We are dedicated to safeguarding the rights of individuals with disabilities and vigorously advocate for equal access.

 

Equal Pay Rights

Motivated by our commitment to workplace fairness, we fight employers who have shortchanged an employee because of bias.

 

Family & Medical Leave Discrimination

The FMLA provides job protected leave so that employees are not forced to choose between their job and caring for loved ones.

 

Family Responsibilities Discrimination

Employees should not be penalized for taking care of their loved ones, and we are committed to fighting for your rights.

 

Federal Employees

We help federal sector employees understand workplace rights and navigate the unique federal agency employment context.

 

Federal Employee Whistleblower Protections

Employees and contractors of the federal government have strong protections from retaliation for speaking out.

 

Gender Identity Discrimination

We believe no employee should face harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of who they are or how they identify.

 

National Origin Discrimination

We believe all employees should be given a fair chance to succeed regardless of their culture and background.

 

Pregnancy Discrimination

Pregnancy and motherhood are not incompatible with work. Our firm fights for expecting mothers and mothers with newborns.

 

Race Discrimination

Employers are forbidden from making decisions to hire, fire, promote, or to provide training or other benefits because of a person’s race.

 

Religious Discrimination

We value individuals' religious beliefs and personal choices and are committed to ensuring the ability to practice without fear.

 

Retaliation

We believe that employees should be able to assert their legal rights without risking their livelihoods.

 

Severance Agreements

Our practice of negotiating severance agreements is built upon years of experience working on behalf of employees at all levels.

 

Sex Discrimination

We work to eliminate gender discrimination, unfair pay, sexual harassment, and unlawful glass ceilings.

 

Sexual Harassment

We are dedicated advocates for the right to a workplace free from a sexually hostile work environment.

 

Sexual Orientation Discrimination

We believe that no employee should be fired, shortchanged, or treated differently because of who they are and whom they love.

 

Title IX Claims

We are a national leader on use of Title IX as an effective tool for an educational environment free from discrimination and retaliation.

 

Veterans (USERRA)

USERRA provides job protections to employees who temporarily leave private employment for military service.

 

Wage & Commission Claims

We fight employers who have wrongfully withheld salaries, commissions, and wages, and hold them accountable for what's unpaid.

 

Whistleblower Retaliation

Employees should be free from intimidation, harassment, or threats when taking a stand against wrong or unsafe workplaces.

 
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It takes courage to fight back against those who discriminate.
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