When a woman is expecting a child, it should be one of the most joyful times of her life. Discrimination in the workplace based on that pregnancy, unfortunately, can greatly detract from that joy and make a woman’s life at work very difficult. Anyone that believes they have been the victim of discrimination should speak to an Akron pregnancy discrimination attorney that can advise them of their legal options.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) is federal legislation that makes it illegal for employers with 15 or more employees to discriminate against an employee based on their pregnancy status or after a child’s birth. Under this law, employers cannot:
While being pregnant is not a disability, pregnant women are afforded the same rights to reasonable accommodations as disabled employees. This means that employers must make certain changes when a pregnant woman requests them, including:
While federal law outlines requirements of employers to treat all employees, including those that are expecting or have a pregnancy-related medical condition, state law also provides the same benefits. Ohio’s law is even more inclusive than federal law, as it applies to employers that employ four or more employees. State law also requires employers to treat pregnant employees in the same manner as other employees, and that includes providing them with the same fringe benefits.
The time when a woman is expecting a child should be an exciting one. If an employer has discriminated against you based on your pregnancy status and has not complied with the law, our Akron pregnancy discrimination attorneys are here to help. At Coffman Law, LLC, our experienced attorneys know how to prove discrimination in the workplace and will help you hold your employer accountable for their actions. Call us today at (614) 949-1181 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case evaluation and to learn more about how we can help.