Pregnancy Discrimination at work?

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[Post New]07/09/2015 14:34
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Anonymous
DON'T QUIT!!! Hang on for dear life until you consult an attorney. Contact the First Shift Justice Program. They are FANTASTIC advocates for working mothers in DC.
[Post New]07/09/2015 14:59
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Anonymous
OP

You are going to be a mom soon. You can't take this lying down. It's time to fight for you and your growing family! Please don't quit or hang in there- you deserve better and so do your future children. They are discriminating against you. Please take to a lawyer. Good luck!
[Post New]07/09/2015 15:24
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
My guess is that, since you mention talking with the owner of your company, and you sound very immature and naive, you are working for a small company for which FMLA does not apply. I don't know what legal recourse you have, but it sounds like you may want to consult an employment attorney.



The federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act applies to everybody -- including to employers too small for FMLA, and to employees who sound very immature and naïve.

An employer cannot refuse to hire a woman because of her pregnancy related condition as long as she is able to perform the major functions of her job. An employer cannot refuse to hire her because of its prejudices against pregnant workers or because of the prejudices of co-workers, clients, or customers. The PDA also forbids discrimination based on pregnancy when it comes to any other aspect of employment, including pay, job assignments, promotions, layoffs, training, fringe benefits, firing, and any other term or condition of employment.

http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/fs-preg.cfm




Go get 'em, OP. Please talk to a lawyer about this. I would not be surprised in the least if your employer didn't try to fire you before the end of your pregnancy. You need someone on your side right now. (In the meantime, it's probably not a bad idea to start looking for other jobs, just in case you do end up fired.)
[Post New]07/09/2015 15:24
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dancingsunflowers06
Member Offline
I agree - you should contact a lawyer asap and start documenting. There are a lot of lawyers that offer free consultations. There's also the christian legal society that has a 'find a lawyer' link on their page. Sorry that you are going through this! But you're not alone, that is why they have created laws against it. Hang in there mama! Focus on staying healthy for those precious babies.

mommato2lilmonkeys
[Post New]07/09/2015 15:28
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Anonymous
You need to send confirming emails for every conversation you have. Since it's all been verbal, send an email to the supervisor detailing your prior conversations and exactly what was done. CC yourself on everything and keep a record.

And hire a lawyer. I don't think I've ever heard of something so egregious.
[Post New]07/09/2015 15:31
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Anonymous
They haven't docked your pay or moved your job yet, right? Other than a few unpleasant conversations, you haven't been harmed in any financial way. Having the new employee around is a little uncomfortable, but she hasn't taken your duties from you, right?

Do your best to document everything that happened. Also document in writing that you prefer not to change jobs and would like to keep working at the same salary.

Then if they still decide to move you, seek assistance from an attorney.
[Post New]07/09/2015 16:42
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:They haven't docked your pay or moved your job yet, right? Other than a few unpleasant conversations, you haven't been harmed in any financial way. Having the new employee around is a little uncomfortable, but she hasn't taken your duties from you, right?

Do your best to document everything that happened. Also document in writing that you prefer not to change jobs and would like to keep working at the same salary.

Then if they still decide to move you, seek assistance from an attorney.


Levelheaded advice. this is just the beginning, OP, since clearly they have a lot of expectations that you'll mommy-track or worse once your kids are here.

Hang in. begin your lifelong relationship with you rinner mama tiger, and get ready to fight, in a way that defends you and your family without exhausting you or burning bridges.
[Post New]07/09/2015 17:10
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Anonymous
Take the other position and see how things pan out, you may want to sah. You're lucky they are committed to keeping you.
[Post New]07/09/2015 17:12
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Anonymous
Just wanted to chime in as an HR professional (but not a lawyer) and concur: this sounds like clear pregnancy discrimination. Call the EEOC! they are focused on pregnancy discrimination this year and are likely to take your case.
[Post New]07/09/2015 17:24
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Anonymous
Congratulations on your pregnancy! And I'm sorry about the jerks at work.

I'm not sure about the structure of your company, but it seems really odd that they could just hire someone to take your position away without discussing this with you -- whether or not you're pregnant. If you have been appointed to this position, then I think they have a responsibility to keep you in this position, move you to a new but equal position with adequate written warning and a legitimate explanation, or fire you based on legitimate reasons.

I would definitely seek legal advice on what to do about this. I don't know where to refer you but am sure there are organizations that can help pro bono or at least advise as a starting place.

I would definitely start looking for a new job, though. No matter what, this sounds like an AWFUL place to work and a very un-family-friendly place. I think you're going to be miserable there after you have the kids because they aren't interested in helping you -- just making you feel like a terrible employee for having a personal life.

Really, this is astounding and sad. Please seek legal help and get them to pay for what they are doing. If you don't, they'll do this to someone else.
[Post New]07/09/2015 17:25
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Anonymous
Please come back in a few months and tell us how things are going!
[Post New]07/09/2015 17:31
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Just wanted to chime in as an HR professional (but not a lawyer) and concur: this sounds like clear pregnancy discrimination. Call the EEOC! they are focused on pregnancy discrimination this year and are likely to take your case.


This is true. The EEOC is having a major push for pregnancy discrimination protections now. The issue is that she hasn't yet suffered an adverse employment action (just threatened). But, if and when she is moved to a lower paying position, I agree that she should contact the EEOC or a private attorney (which might get her more leverage for a settlement than the EEOC will).
[Post New]07/09/2015 17:34
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Anonymous
Call a lawyer, OP.

Signed,
A lawyer
[Post New]07/09/2015 17:36
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Anonymous
Wow, so thy employer tries to accommodate her and she gets mad
[Post New]07/09/2015 17:42
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Wow, so thy employer tries to accommodate her and she gets mad


She hadn't asked for accomodation. assuming someone wants accomodation when they haven't asked for it is discrimination. As an asshole, surely you're familiar with people not treating you as you deserve to be treated?
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