New Haven Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer

Understanding the Pregnancy Discrimination Act

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, also known as the federal civil rights in employment law. It is unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. The law pertains to employers who have 15 or more employees in the private sector or in state and local governments.

Similar to many laws that protect against specific types of employment discrimination, women who are pregnant or otherwise affected by pregnancy-related circumstances have the right to fair and equal treatment afforded to other employees who face similar limitations or conditions. An employer does not have the right to refuse employment to a pregnant woman solely because of her condition, nor is the employer allowed to establish a mandatory maternity leave when a pregnant employee is still capable of performing her work duties. Furthermore, an employer must provide a level of insurance benefits to a pregnant woman to the extent of coverage for other medical conditions. This means that no health plan provided by the employer is to charge a greater deductible for pregnancy-related treatment or omit maternity coverage for women. The stress and difficulty some women have to suffer in the workplace in discriminatory acts due to their pregnancy can lead to extreme personal distress. In cases of loss of employment, not only are they expecting a child, they no longer have a source of income, which is devastating, both financially and personally.

A less known fact about an employers' health insurance is that the law prohibits limited pregnancy-related benefits to married employees. Any benefits offered to employees who are eligible for medical leave must apply as well to women on leave for pregnancy-related purposes. In this respect, female employees on leave are subject to the same treatment as other temporarily disabled employees. If you or a loved one were mistreated by an employer, call a New Haven pregnancy discrimination attorney for legal advice and guidance.

Legal Aid from a Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney in New Haven, CT

Documentation of any evidence is helpful in building a case in support of a discrimination claim. Axelrod & Associates has extensive experience in all aspects of employment issues. We are also represent pregnancy discrimination claims in the cities of New Haven, Stamford, Branford, Meriden, Waterbury and Bridgeport.

Contact a New Haven pregnancy discrimination lawyer today.