Pregnancy Discrimination

Pregnancy Discrimination Attorneys

Bringing new life into the world should not end up putting your livelihood at risk. Yet many employees discover that a pregnancy announcement, a request for accommodation, or a return from leave suddenly changes how they are treated at work. Discrimination on the job that is based on the employee’s sex is illegal, and since 1974, this includes discrimination that is based on pregnancy. Both the federal government and the State of California offer protections for pregnancy, and a better understanding of your rights can help you protect them.

A Firm Built to Advance the Rights of Workers

Olivier & Schreiber PC represents employees, never the companies that harm them. Our firm brings a strong employment litigation background and genuine compassion for our clients to every matter we take on. Whether your situation calls for negotiation, a single-plaintiff lawsuit, or a class action, we are positioned to advocate for a resolution that upholds your rights and your best interests.

Who We Serve

Pregnancy discrimination often hides behind vague performance concerns or sudden reorganizations. The team at Olivier & Schreiber PC stands with employees across a wide range of situations, including those where:

• An employee’s supervisors began labeling them as unreliable, uncommitted, or distracted once they announced a pregnancy.
• An employee’s key clients, projects, or leadership duties were quietly reassigned during pregnancy or maternity leave.
• An employee was singled out for layoff while coworkers with comparable or weaker records were retained, following comments about their pregnancy or upcoming leave.
• An employee raised concerns about a pay or promotion gap tied to their pregnancy and then faced sudden scrutiny, discipline, or dismissal.
• A qualified employee was passed over for a promotion in favor of someone less experienced, amid remarks about whether a new parent could handle the role.
• An employee was denied a reasonable accommodation, a temporary transfer to less strenuous work, or adequate break time to express breast milk.

We can evaluate your circumstances, help you understand your rights, and advocate for you in these and similar cases.

Pregnancy Protections Under the Law

Federal Protections Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act, part of Title VII, prohibits any employment policy (written or unwritten) that excludes applicants or denies employees any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Under these protections:

• Companies must allow pregnant employees to keep performing their jobs as long as they remain capable of doing so.
• Companies cannot base employment decisions on stereotypes or assumptions tied to an employee’s pregnancy.
• Companies cannot impose special procedures based on pregnancy to judge an employee’s ability to work.
• Companies cannot terminate or deny assignments or promotions to employees because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions.
• Companies cannot exclude women from certain jobs under the guise of protecting a fetus.

Stronger Protections Under California’s FEHA

California enhances these federal safeguards through the Fair Employment and Housing Act, which also covers pregnancy-related disabilities such as gestational diabetes. Under state law, your employer must:

• Reasonably accommodate your medical needs, such as temporarily modifying your duties, allowing more frequent breaks, or providing a stool or chair while you work.
• Transfer you to less strenuous or less hazardous work when possible and medically indicated.
• Provide pregnancy disability leave for up to four months when medically necessary, and secure your job for your return.
• Allow you reasonable privacy and break time to express breast milk on the job.

How Our Firm Guides You

Identifying pregnancy discrimination and proving it can be challenging, because employers rarely admit their true motives. The attorneys at Olivier & Schreiber PC will evaluate the facts of your specific situation, explain your legal options in plain terms, gather the evidence needed to expose the bias behind an employer’s decisions, and pursue the strongest path toward a fair resolution, whether that means a negotiated settlement or litigation.

Why Choose Us for a Pregnancy Discrimination Case?

When unfair treatment at work because of a pregnancy leaves you unsure of what to do next, you can turn to the unwavering advocates at Olivier & Schreiber PC. We provide:

• Empathetic, Employee-Side Focus: Our firm represents workers exclusively, so your interests always remain the priority.
• Strong Litigation Background: A proven record in employment matters and civil appeals gives your claim real leverage against an employer.
• Commitment to Advancing Worker Rights: Our firm is driven by a mission to move the law forward for employees, not just to resolve disputes.

With a deep understanding of workplace injustices and a dedication to protecting employee rights, we are here to guide you through every step of the legal process.

Let Our Experienced Discrimination Attorneys Help

Pregnancy is a season of hope and expectancy, and no employer should turn it into a source of fear. If you believe your pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition influenced how you were treated at work, the accomplished pregnancy discrimination attorneys at Olivier & Schreiber PC are ready to help. Please do not delay in contacting our firm today to discuss your rights and legal options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy Discrimination in California