The Sloan Law Firm PLLC

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What does pregnancy discrimination look like?

by | Jun 9, 2022 | Employment Law

Despite the fact that workplaces have moved forward over the years in numerous different ways, they also cling stubbornly to many of the same old problems that people from decades ago also dealt with.

This includes the continued discrimination against pregnant employees and prospective employees. In what ways do these discriminations manifest in today’s workplace?

Failing to hire workers due to pregnancy

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission discusses the issue of discrimination against pregnant workers in the workplace. For those workers seeking employment, the scene looks much the same as it did decades ago, unfortunately.

Many employers state a fear that the pregnant employees will leave the business as soon – or soon after – they give birth to their child. Essentially, they view a pregnant prospective employee as a temporary worker from the get-go, even if that is not the case.

In some cases, these excuses act as a thin veil for employers who do not want to hire female workers due to sexist reasons that would not pass muster in court. However, refusing to hire a person solely due to their pregnancy is also not legally okay.

Discrimination at work

Workers who become pregnant after getting hired can also face forms of discrimination. Due to similar reasons already listed, talk of promotions or raises may suddenly take a backseat or stop entirely, even if the worker’s performance does not change at all.

A company may even go so far as to try icing out a pregnant worker so she will leave of her own accord, rather than suffer through an uncomfortable work environment. Fortunately, victims of such behavior do have legal recourse.