How to Deal With Pregnancy Discrimination

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibits employers from discriminating because of the birth of a child, being pregnant or related medical conditions. Pregnant women or those suffering other related conditions must be treated just like any other employees with similar abilities. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act applies to employers with 15 or more employees.

Instructions

1. Read your employee handbook. Many employers have established anti-pregnancy discrimination policies in their workplace and these policies are usually described in the employee manual or handbook. These policies should tell you how to report a complaint of pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.

2. Report the discriminatory behavior to a supervisor or the human resources department. Responsible employers will take immediate action to investigate the complaint to help you deal with the discriminatory conduct.

3. Contact your state Department of Labor (DOL). Depending upon the laws of your state, your state DOL can advise you on the complaint avenues available to you and may initiate its own investigation into the alleged claims of pregnancy discrimination.

4. File a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC will require your contact information, your employer's contact information, a short description of the alleged violation and the date it occurred. They will then initiate an investigation into the incident. Remember that an EEOC complaint must be brought within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act, or 300 days if the charge is also covered by a state discrimination law.

5. Talk to your union. If you are a union employee, talk to your union representative about filing a grievance regarding your complaint of pregnancy discrimination.

6. Consult an attorney. One of the most effective ways to deal with pregnancy discrimination is to consult with an attorney. An attorney can advise you on your rights and represent you in any potential litigation.