If you are a pregnant woman, it is important to know your rights under the PDA. The PDA stands for the pregnancy discrimination act, and it was enacted in 1978 to protect pregnant women from discrimination in the workplace. This law applies to both private and public employers, and it prohibits pregnancy-related discrimination in all aspects of employment.
Getting fired or denied a job
Under the PDA, it is illegal for employers to fire or deny employment opportunities to pregnant women. This includes termination of employment or refusal to hire on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or medical conditions related to either.
Denial of benefits and privileges
The PDA also prevents employers from denying pregnant women the same benefits and privileges that are available to other employees. This includes job security, health insurance coverage, sick leave, vacation time and flexible work arrangements.
Unlawful harassment
One of the most common forms of pregnancy discrimination is sexual harassment that is associated with the pregnancy. This includes any unwanted comments, advances, or touching on the basis of pregnancy. The PDA also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report violations of the act. Secondly, employers must provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant women as long as it does not create an undue hardship on the business.
Reasonable accommodations
Lastly, employers must provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant women as long as it does not create an undue hardship on the business. Examples of reasonable accommodations include providing additional breaks, allowing more flexible work schedules, providing assistance with manual labor and making other adjustments to enable a woman to continue working during her pregnancy.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against on the basis of pregnancy, take action. You should first contact your employer and explain why you think discrimination has occurred. If this does not resolve the situation, then it’s recommended that you file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This will allow the agency to investigate your claim and determine whether or not your rights have been violated.