It is no secret that people with uteruses face discrimination in all aspects of their lives, and unfortunately, the workplace is far from a safe place. Women may receive unfair wages, be passed over for jobs or promotions for which they are qualified, and are very often victims of sexual harassment in the workplace. Another type of discrimination that women face is pregnancy discrimination. Read on and contact an Atlanta employment discrimination attorney to learn more about pregnancy discrimination in the Georgia workplace and what to do if you believe you are a victim of discrimination.

What does pregnancy discrimination look like?

You may be a victim of pregnancy discrimination if:

• You are not hired solely because you are pregnant
• Your pay is docked once your employee finds out you are pregnant
• You are fired once your employee finds out you are pregnant
• You are demoted once your employee finds out you are pregnant

In any of these cases, it is extremely important that you contact an experienced employment attorney as soon as possible.

Why would a pregnant employee face discrimination?

Most employers are financially driven. This means that they may want to avoid hiring a pregnant employee because this employee will inevitably need to go on maternity leave. In Georgia, an eligible employee may be entitled to a total of 12 workweeks of (Family and Medical Leave Act) FMLA leave in a 12-month period. While most people would see this as necessary time for a new mother to recover from the difficulty of childbirth and bond with her newborn baby, some employers see it as a financial drain and will attempt to avoid it by refusing to hire a pregnant employee or even firing an existing employee once she becomes pregnant. Sadly, this is a common issue and many women will attempt to hide their pregnancies from an employer to avoid any repercussions. Luckily, discriminating against an individual because she is pregnant is illegal under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act is a federal law that generally states that eligible employers are prohibited from discriminating against their employees or prospective employees simply because the employee is pregnant. As long as a pregnant woman still retains the ability to do her job, it is illegal to discriminate against her.

What should I do if I believe I am a victim of pregnancy discrimination?

If you believe you are a victim of pregnancy discrimination, it is important to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. It is also important to gather evidence. Be sure to write down any incriminating quotes from your employer, keep any emails/texts, and keep a timeline of your pregnancy and the discriminatory acts.

If you are having a baby, it is especially important to be financially stable. As a result, pregnancy discrimination can be devastating to a new mother. Our firm is here to advocate for you every step of the way. Reach out as soon as possible to speak with an experienced employment attorney.