Costa Mesa Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyers

Being pregnant at work is never something you should have to worry about, but many expecting mothers do. The reason is the prevalence of pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. If this sounds familiar and you need a team of Costa Mesa pregnancy discrimination lawyers to handle your pregnancy discrimination case, California Employment Counsel, APC, can represent you.

When you are pregnant, you are in a protected class under the law. You should never experience any kind of harassment or discrimination related to your pregnancy. If you do, you should report the incident immediately, document all details, and contact a reputable employment discrimination law firm, like ours, to help you resolve your case.

At California Employment Counsel, APC, a Costa Mesa pregnancy discrimination attorney can offer compassionate and confident representation. When you hire a pregnancy discrimination lawyer at our firm, you can rest assured knowing you are working with a team of empathetic, innovative, and thorough defense attorneys.

With our dedicated service, we can also represent you through the court process. When you file your case with the Costa Mesa Justice Center on Harbor Boulevard, we can meet all deadlines and requirements for your claim. Together, we can analyze the details of your case to create a strategic plan of action.

Pregnancy discrimination involves treating an employee or applicant unfavorably due to pregnancy in all aspects of employment, including firing, hiring, pay, promotions, job assignments, layoffs, and training. Even though there are legal protections, many women fear pregnancy discrimination, with 21% of mothers saying that they have been scared to tell their employers about their pregnancies due to fear of discrimination or retaliation.

Five signs of pregnancy discrimination in the workplace include:

• Being demoted or transferred because of your pregnancy
• Receiving unfavorable or unfair assignments or bad shifts
• Receiving poor performance reviews that are inaccurate
• Being wrongfully terminated or laid off for taking maternity leave
• Being harassed or disciplined for going to medical appointments or taking restroom breaks

Importantly, the law also protects your right to breastfeed, but some employers overlook this right as well. Law enforcement officers, first responders, and other women in male-dominated jobs account for 43% of breastfeeding discrimination claims. If you have experienced any of these forms of pregnancy discrimination in the workplace, you deserve justice.

When you are pregnant, state and federal laws protect you against pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. Your employer may not discriminate against or harass you because of your pregnancy. At the federal level, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, and there are California laws that protect you, too.

In California, there are several laws you should know about if you are facing pregnancy discrimination. The first two, the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and the Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) Law, require employers to grant leave for pregnancy-related medical conditions. A third, the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), requires employers to make certain accommodations. All these laws protect your rights.

If you have experienced pregnancy discrimination, you may be entitled to significant compensation, depending on your circumstances. Pregnancy discrimination penalties are serious, and consequences may include back pay, front pay, other compensatory damages, and injunctive relief.

When you contact our knowledgeable defense attorneys, they can look at the details of your case to see how much discrimination you have endured. In addition to paying compensation for your lost wages, pain, and suffering, employers may also face heavy fines. In severe cases, the court may also award punitive damages.

When you are facing pregnancy discrimination at work, you need a team of skilled Costa Mesa pregnancy discrimination lawyers to handle your pregnancy discrimination case. California Employment Counsel, APC, can provide the compassionate legal advice you need to seek the justice you deserve. From paperwork to litigation, we can handle everything.

Q: Can My Employer Fire Me If I Become Temporarily Unable to Do My Job Because I Am Pregnant?

A: No, your employer cannot fire you for being temporarily disabled due to pregnancy. Instead, they must treat you like any other employee with a disability, allowing you to change work duties, perform different tasks, or take leave if necessary. According to the law, your employer may not terminate your employment while you are pregnant, even if you cannot perform your regular duties.

Q: Can My Employer Require Me to Provide a Doctor’s Note Before Giving Me Maternity Leave?

A: Yes, your employer can request a doctor’s note to approve leave if they request medical documentation from all employees for granting leave. However, your employer may not single out pregnancy-related conditions for special procedures to determine an employee’s ability to work. In many workplaces, requesting a doctor’s note is part of the standard procedure for taking leave.

Q: At an Interview, Can an Employer Ask Me If I Am or Intend to Become Pregnant?

A: Federal law does not prohibit employers from asking you whether you are or intend to become pregnant. The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recommends that employers avoid the question, however, due to its discriminatory nature. Applicants may think such questions show pregnancy discrimination intent, leaving employers with potential legal issues.

Q: When Should I Contact a Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney?

A: You should contact a pregnancy discrimination attorney immediately if you were terminated or treated unfairly by your employer based on your pregnancy. There are laws in place to protect you, and work is not somewhere that you should feel unsafe. Seeking out legal counsel early can give you the opportunity to build your case and seek the full compensation you deserve.

Pregnancy is stressful enough. No one should have to suffer from pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. If you need a team of empathetic and dedicated Costa Mesa pregnancy discrimination lawyers, California Employment Counsel, APC, has extensive experience and thorough knowledge of pregnancy discrimination laws. Contact us to schedule your consultation today.