The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It’s a federal law that stops employers from discriminating against you based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Simple concept: employers have to treat pregnant employees the same way they’d treat anyone else with similar abilities or limitations. This protection covers everything. Hiring. Firing. Promotions, job assignments, training, and benefits. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, knowing these protections helps you spot when something’s wrong.
How the PDA Protects Florida Workers
Florida follows federal employment discrimination laws, so the PDA applies to any employer with 15 or more employees. That means pregnancy can’t be used as a reason to deny you opportunities or treat you differently at work. Here’s what the law protects:
- Employers can’t refuse to hire you because you’re pregnant
- You can’t be fired or demoted due to pregnancy
- Pregnancy-related medical conditions get treated like other temporary disabilities
- You’re entitled to the same health insurance coverage as other employees
- Light-duty assignments must be available if they’re offered to other workers with temporary limitations
Does your employer provide disability leave or modified duties for injured workers? They’ve got to extend the same accommodations to pregnant employees. A Key Biscayne pregnancy discrimination lawyer can help you figure out whether your employer’s policies actually comply with federal law.
Common Violations of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act
Many pregnant workers don’t realize their legal rights are being violated. The discrimination can be subtle or right in your face. You might get passed over for a promotion after announcing your pregnancy. Supervisors might make hostile comments about whether you can still do your job. Some employers force pregnant workers to take unpaid leave, while other employees get paid medical leave for temporary conditions. Employers sometimes justify discriminatory actions by claiming they’re concerned about your safety or your baby’s health. Sounds caring, right? But under the PDA, you get to make your own decisions about continuing to work. Your employer can’t force you to take leave or transfer to a different position unless your pregnancy actually prevents you from performing your essential job functions.
Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Workers
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act took effect in 2023. It strengthened protections by requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related limitations. This federal law works alongside the PDA to give you additional rights. What counts as reasonable accommodations? More frequent bathroom breaks. A stool to sit on during your shift. Temporary reassignment of heavy lifting tasks. A modified work schedule for medical appointments. Employers must work with you to figure out appropriate accommodations unless doing so would create an undue hardship for the business.
What to Do If You Experience Pregnancy Discrimination
Document everything. Keep records of discriminatory comments, emails, policy changes, and any adverse employment actions taken after you announced your pregnancy. Write down dates, times, and witnesses to any incidents. This documentation matters more than you think. You should report the discrimination to your human resources department. Follow your company’s internal complaint procedures. If your employer doesn’t address the situation, you may need to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Florida Commission on Human Relations.
Timing is important here. Federal law requires you to file an EEOC charge within 180 days of the discriminatory act. That extends to 300 days in states with their own anti-discrimination agencies. Miss these deadlines, and you can’t pursue legal action. Exhibit G Law Firm understands how pregnancy discrimination affects workers throughout Florida and can evaluate whether your rights have been violated.
Getting Legal Help
Pregnancy discrimination cases aren’t straightforward. They involve complicated employment law issues and require thorough documentation to prove your claim. If you believe you’ve experienced pregnancy discrimination at work, speaking with a Key Biscayne pregnancy discrimination lawyer helps you understand your options and protect your livelihood. Legal representation can make the difference between accepting unfair treatment and holding your employer accountable under federal law.