Maternity Discrimination Lawyers in Florida and Georgia
If you believe your employer has discriminated against you or failed to provide reasonable accommodation due to your pregnancy or recent childbirth, you may have cause to file a pregnancy or maternity discrimination claim against them. Call us today at The Leach Firm, P.A. to schedule a free case evaluation with our pregnancy and maternity discrimination lawyers at our offices in Florida or Georgia.
What Is Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination?
A pregnant woman who still wants to work through her pregnancy or a new mom who needs to take frequent breaks to pump or breastfeed may face discrimination from her employer. Employer pregnancy or maternity discrimination could include:
- Refusing to hire a pregnant applicant
- Refusing to promote a pregnant or recently pregnant employee
- Reducing compensation
- Reducing or removing benefits (paid time off, health insurance, etc.)
- Firing a pregnant or recently pregnant employee or forcing them to accept another position
- Withholding work or assignments
- Harassing a pregnant or recently pregnant employee
- Failing to provide reasonable accommodations such as a chair or private place to pump
- Retaliating against a pregnant or recently pregnant employee for reporting workplace pregnancy or maternity discrimination
What Protections Do Pregnant Workers Have Against Maternity Discrimination?
Pregnant employees and new mothers have some legal protections against pregnancy and maternity discrimination. Several legal acts protect the rights of pregnant and recently pregnant workers, including the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Families and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Under the PDA, employers must offer any reasonable accommodation for pregnant employees as with employees with similar medical conditions.
The ADA also protects pregnant and recently pregnant employees from discrimination because, although pregnancy is not a disability, pregnancy-related conditions (morning sickness, gestational diabetes, etc.) can prevent an employee from performing the same job functions as before pregnancy or childbirth.
The FMLA protects the rights of pregnant and recently pregnant employees and their partners for up to 12 weeks of unpaid family medical leave.
The new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) becomes effective June 27, 2023. While the above laws only require employers to accommodate pregnant workers as they would other employees with similar medical restrictions, the PWFA protects pregnant and recently pregnant employees as categorically deserving of accommodation without comparison to other disabled workers.
How a Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer Can Help
Pregnancy and maternity discrimination lawyers can use their professional experience fighting discrimination by employers to help you build your case. They understand labor law and your rights as an employee and can help you gather the evidence you need for your claim against your employer.
Contact The Leach Firm, P.A. for Help from a Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer Serving Florida and Georgia
Discriminating against pregnant employees or employees who have recently given birth is illegal. If you want to learn more about pregnancy and maternity discrimination in Georgia or Florida, contact The Leach Firm, P.A. Call us at 844-722-7567 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our maternity discrimination lawyers at our offices in Orlando, FL, or Atlanta, GA.