Helping the Victims of Pregnancy Discrimination
There are several different kinds of pregnancy discrimination. Sometimes employers deny the proper amount of maternity leave, or they do not provide needed accommodations. Other times, their actions are just too protective, preventing expectant mothers from participating fully in their jobs.
At Working Law Group, in Ventura, we represent Californians who have experienced pregnancy discrimination. Our experienced attorneys use their in-depth knowledge of the law to help you achieve the best possible results in state or federal courts, as well as before administrative bodies like the Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
The Laws That Protect You From Pregnancy Discrimination
Both federal and California state laws protect employees from pregnancy discrimination. These laws can be complex, and it is best to talk about them with an experienced attorney, but there are a few basics that expectant mothers (and fathers) should know.
- California Family Rights Act: The CFRA, state law, is administered by the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. The CFRA provides eligible women with job-protected leave for pregnancy-related disabilities or complications. It also provides additional leave time for mothers and fathers after the baby is born for "bonding." Under the CFRA, eligible expectant mothers may sometimes receive more job-protected time away from work than under the FMLA.
- Family and Medical Leave Act: The FMLA, federal law, is administered by the Department of Labor. Under the FMLA, eligible employees may receive up to a maximum of 12 weeks of job-protected time away from work for pregnancy and birth as well as for "bonding" with a new baby or adopted child.
California is an "at will" employment state, so employers can fire employees for almost any reason — even a stupid one. But one thing employers cannot do is fire workers in retaliation for a pregnancy. If you have been fired, demoted, or otherwise retaliated against for having a child or for taking time off to care for your child, talk to Working Law Group about pregnancy discrimination.
At Working Law Group, our lawyers help California employees stay work connected. Our goal is to connect you to the resources you need to take action against pregnancy discrimination. We provide clear information and compassionate advice to help protect your rights. Contact us by calling 805-256-7461 for a free and confidential initial consultation.
