Pregnancy discrimination is rampant and on the rise. Both male and female managers can be biased against pregnant or expected to be pregnant women because of the stereotype of taking time off work and of being sick and out of the office a lot. According to the EEOC press release, Imagine Schools, a national charter school company, failed to retain two female employees because they were pregnant. The result for Imagine Schools was a lawsuit by the EEOC and a $570,000 settlement.
Since the Americans with Disabilities Act does not consider "pregnancy" to be a disability, Congress amended Title VII to make clear that pregnancy discrimination is a form of sex discrimination and that it is illegal. Many states, including Florida, treat pregnancy discrimination as a form of sex discrimination without have a distinct statute like the federal counterpart.
Pregnancy discrimination is not limited to actually being pregnant. Being denied a job because the prospective employer believes you will become pregnant soon is still pregnancy discrimination. Being fired because you had or are contemplating an abortion is still pregnancy discrimination. Any discrimination or retaliation against a woman because she is, was, will be or is perceived to be pregnant is illegal. Sarelson Law Firm has experience representing victims of pregnancy discrimination. Call today before a problem arises.
