How to Sue for Pregnancy Discrimination

Few things can damper the happiness surrounding a pregnancy than realizing that you're being discriminated against at work due to your condition. Your rights as a pregnant employee are covered under an amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Learn what this means to protect your job and income.

Instructions

1. Research the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 if you think you are a victim of pregnancy discrimination. A company cannot refuse to hire you, fire you or require you to take a certain amount of leave because you are pregnant. You must be given the same opportunities and rights as anyone else with a short-term disability.

2. Approach your company's human resources department with the problem. It's possible the matter can be straightened out internally, without having to go to court. It's best to have written records of the incidences of discrimination, including dates, times and the people who were involved.

3. File a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which must be done within 180 days of the discrimination having taken place. After 180 days has passed, the statute of limitations has expired and your ability to file a claim has likely been lost.

4. Contact a private attorney if your efforts to settle the matter through the EEOC fail and you still feel you have been discriminated against. In many states, you must exhaust your options to settle the claim through the EEOC before you can file a private lawsuit and sue your company.