Pregnancy Discrimination

New York Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney

Fighting For Those Who Have Experienced Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace

Navigating the workplace while expecting a child should be a time of joy and anticipation. Unfortunately, some employers engage in discriminatory practices that can turn this exciting period into one marked by stress and injustice. At Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP, we recognize the importance of protecting the rights of pregnant individuals in the workplace. Our pregnancy discrimination attorneys in New York are dedicated to advocating for fair treatment and ensuring that you are not subjected to discrimination based on your pregnancy.

Call Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP today at (646) 490-0221 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our pregnancy discrimination attorney in New York.

Which U.S. Laws Protect Female Workers From Discrimination Due to Pregnancy?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from discrimination based on protected characteristics, including sex-based discrimination. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), which was amended to Title VII, denotes pregnancy discrimination as a form of sex discrimination.

According to the PDA, employers must treat pregnant women as "temporarily disabled" and accommodate them as any other employee experiencing a short-term disability. Additionally, the Family Medical Leave Act, allows both mothers and fathers 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave after childbirth.

Under laws that protect women from pregnancy discrimination, an employer may not:

Fire a female employee because she is pregnant
Refuse to hire an otherwise qualified woman because she is pregnant
Require a pregnant employee to bring a doctor's note verifying her inability to work when other employees are not required to follow similar protocol if they are injured or ill
Fail to restore an employee who just returned from pregnancy leave to her former position or one like it
Treat an employee differently because she is pregnant, including demoting her, decreasing her hours, or removing privileges / responsibilities
Enact a rule that employees may not return to work for a certain amount of time before or after giving birth
Penalize an employee who takes time off for prenatal doctor appointments when other employees are not penalized when they leave for medical reasons
Ignore an employee who is otherwise qualified for a promotion or pay raise because she is pregnant

Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy in the Workplace

What is considered pregnancy discrimination?

Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), it is unlawful for companies to discriminate against employees based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Discrimination may pertain to:

Hiring
Firing
Promotions
Raises
Layoffs
Training
Fringe benefits
Docking, reducing, or withholding compensation
Reducing hours
Creating a hostile work environment
Job assignments, or
Anything that negatively impacts the terms and conditions of your employment due to pregnancy

Is my pregnancy considered a disability?

While pregnancy itself is not considered a disability under federal law, some conditions related to pregnancy may be considered temporary disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For example, gestational diabetes may be a disability in some cases.

If you qualify for ADA coverage while pregnant, you may be legally entitled to job accommodations that would allow you to continue working. However, it is important to note that accommodations may also be subject to your employer’s existing policies on temporary disabilities.

Can my employer force me to take leave because I am pregnant?

No, employers cannot force you to take leave simply because you are pregnant—even if they claim that they are acting in your best interest. Federal law states that pregnant workers must be allowed to continue work as long as they are able. In addition, if you must take leave for a pregnancy-related condition, you cannot be forced to stay on leave if you recover.

Can my employer make me bring in a doctor’s note?

The PDA states that companies may not require pregnant women, or women suspected of being pregnant, to provide medical documentation that would not normally be required of other similarly situated employees.

That means that employers cannot demand that you bring in a doctor’s note to prove that it is safe for you to work while pregnant. However, you may be legally required to supply documentation in some circumstances. For example, if a company would normally require staffers to submit medical documentation before taking sick leave, then pregnant women would have to adhere to that rule as well.

What is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

Many women take their maternity leave through the FMLA. Woman who are entitled to FMLA leave may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for prenatal care, the birth of a child, recovery from childbirth, and bonding with a newborn after delivery.

In addition, FMLA may be used by fathers for paternity leave, and for adoptive or foster parents to bond with a child who has been placed in their home. FMLA is also often used by women who need to take leave for pregnancy related health conditions. Despite the reason FMLA leave is used, eligible women must be restored to their prior positions (or to equivalent ones) when they return to work.

What does the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare) have to do with pregnancy in the workplace?

As far as nursing goes, the Affordable Care Act provides hourly employees with the right to express breastmilk in a private area whenever it is necessary, for up to one year. The employer is responsible for providing an area other than a restroom. That area must be available at any time a nursing woman might need it.

How to Prove Pregnancy Discrimination?

Proving pregnancy discrimination can be challenging, as it often involves subtle and nuanced situations. Some key steps to consider are:

Document Incidents: Keep detailed records of any incidents that are related to pregnancy discrimination. This includes dates, times, locations, individuals involved, and a description of the discriminatory actions or comments. Documentation can serve as critical evidence in establishing a pattern of discriminatory behavior.
Preserve Communications: Save emails, text messages, or any written communication relevant to your case. These documents can help establish a timeline of events and supply concrete evidence of discriminatory behavior. Preserving this information as soon as you become aware of the discrimination is essential.
Obtain Witness Statements: If there were witnesses to the discriminatory behavior, obtain written statements from them. Witnesses can play a vital role in corroborating your claims and strengthening your case. Their testimony can provide additional perspectives and credibility to your allegations.
Seek Medical Documentation: If the discrimination involves issues related to pregnancy-related medical conditions, obtain documentation from your healthcare provider. Medical records can support your case by providing evidence of the need for accommodation or any adverse effects caused by the discriminatory actions.
Consult with an Experienced Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer: Our experienced attorney can assess the details of your case, guide you on the best course of action, and provide the legal expertise to build a compelling case on your behalf.

Contact Our New York Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney Today

If you have been fired or otherwise discriminated against because of your pregnancy, talk to a New York discrimination attorney from Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP right away. We know how to defend your rights under the state and federal laws designed to protect you.

Call Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP at (646) 490-0221 today for more information from our pregnancy discrimination lawyer in NY.

Continue Reading Read Less

Contact Us Today

Get the Strong Advocacy You Deserve

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Acceptable Use Policy

Meet Our Team

About Us

Why Choose Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP?

100+ Years of Collective Experience
Personalized & Compassionate Service
Award-Winning Legal Counsel
A Track Record of Success

Our Testimonials

Our Past Clients Speak to Our Experience

"Always available, conscientious and extremely knowledgeable."
Outstanding lawyer. Always available, conscientious and extremely knowledgeable. Excellent at following-up both with his clients and with opposing counsel. Regardless of the size of the case, Brian will put in the work and always treat his clients with the utmost professionalism and respect.

- N.W.
"I trusted them entirely."
I received the most compassionate and professional assistance from SP&H. I felt that Mr. Heller truly cared about me and the situation I was in. He was able to be my voice during a difficult time. He responded promptly to any correspondence, took the time to explain to me any questions or concerns, and helped ease any kind of stress that I had during a dispute with a previous employer. I highly recommend this firm. You are not just a number, they treat you like family. I trusted them entirely. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your devoted time and effort in my legal matter.

- A.M.
"Their integrity, personal attention, and knowledge are superior."
Schwartz, Perry & Heller, LLP are the most skilled Lawyers for your discrimination case in the Tri-State area. Their integrity, personal attention, and knowledge are superior. They won my case and can win yours. Nothing beats the best.

- D.K.
"Caring, smart, highly skilled negotiators"
Davida Perry and Brian Heller are very caring, attentive and highly skilled negotiators who gave me expert representation to win my negotiation and achieve my goals.

- D.
"Words are inadequate to express how truly grateful I am to Schwartz & Perry, especially Brian Heller for his help."
Words are inadequate to express how truly grateful I am to Schwartz & Perry, especially Brian Heller for his help. I first met Mr. Schwartz and Brian Heller a few years ago when I was working at an international firm in an IT role when I contacted them for the free consultation because I felt that I was being setup to be fired. I knew I was being treated unfairly by my manager. I felt utterly helpless and had no idea who to turn to. After meeting with Mr. Schwartz and Brian Heller, I came to understand that the unfair treatment I endured was actually discrimination. They counselled me through being fired and negotiating a settlement; an extremely upsetting and exhausting experience. They explained the rules of employment law while treating me with dignity and kindness. Due to the skill and knowledge of these attorneys, I received a substantial settlement and was able to move on to another company with my self-respect intact and without the financial hardship that would have resulted from losing my job. They also ensured that this employer could not damage my reputation going forward with future employers. Recently, when I had another issue with a different employer; I called Brian Heller right away. I knew that Brian, being extremely well versed on the latest employment laws, would be able to help me. Brian carefully guided me and I was able to “ride the wave” of unprofessionalism and threats of litigation coming my way from my former employer’s attorney. My former employer thought that they could bully and frighten me into staying with them longer so that my new job opportunity would no longer be available, and then they could let me go when it was convenient for them - and I’d be out of work. They didn’t know that I have a Secret Weapon – Brian Heller! Once Brian was on the case, those threats ceased and I was able to accept my new wonderful job and leave the worry and stress behind. I highly recommend Brian Heller and Schwartz & Perry as a firm. Over the years Brian has always treated me with kindness and respect and I have peace of mind because I have someone I trust who is on my side, who can guide me and who is willing and extremely capable of protecting my rights.

- Former Client
"From day 1 of the consultation to the very end I felt like the most important client to the firm."
Amazing team of Attorneys. From day 1 of the consultation to the very end I felt like the most important client to the firm. Brian Heller who I dealt with personally was amazing. Whether it was a call or email responses were very prompt and I was kept informed every step of the way. Even a few calls just to check in and say hello. Truly an incredible experience and I would recommend them to anyone seeking justice. If they take your case they will fight with you to the end. A+

- D.W.
"We remain tremendously grateful for his support and look forward to working with him again."
On short notice, Brian Heller reviewed contracts with complex international dimensions and found important discrepancies that I and other senior-level executives had missed completely. He was fast, thorough, and detail-oriented in providing pragmatic advice that enabled us to be sure that we were getting the fairest and best possible treatment under the law. We remain tremendously grateful for his support and look forward to working with him again.

- Eric
"Davida Perry not only did an amazing job calming down my nerves but she fought for me tooth and nail and did a great job securing what my past employer owed me."
After having a terrible experience at my last job, facing the anxiety again of having to rehash the treatment was daunting. Davida Perry not only did an amazing job calming down my nerves but she fought for me tooth and nail and did a great job securing what my past employer owed me. I won’t lie, there were moments I wanted to give up, but Davida was always there to help me stay focused and realize that I didn’t need to let them win. She was really great at countering all of their arguments, I pity anyone that would try to prove her wrong. She thought of everything we need and kept me constantly updated. Mostly what I appreciated about Davida was her kindness, and her genuine care for my mental health. She wanted to make sure I was taking care of myself during a very trying time. I cannot recommend this firm enough. They all clearly care about their clients and want to do best for you. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself, and if you’re worried about the challenges that lie ahead be sure to team with Schwartz Perry & Heller, they will have your back and fight for justice.

- T.B.

View All Reviews