Question about employment and pregnancy?

Question

I was hired at this office job back in March and soon after being hired I found out I was pregnant. Up until I told them, I had no problems here. They always told me what a great find I was and that I did a great job. Recently, they have been treating me a lot different. My supervisor keeps complaining to me that I’m not doing things right, when I've been doing everything the same as I always have. Do you think they are just trying to find something to fire me for, since they can't fire me for being pregnant? or is it something else?

Answer 1

First of all, congratualtions on your pregnancy.. Secondly, the fact they are doing this to you is very very very wrong... This should help..
Facts About Pregnancy Discrimination
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act is an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions constitutes unlawful sex discrimination under Title VII. Women affected by pregnancy or related conditions must be treated in the same manner as other applicants or employees with similar abilities or limitations.

Hiring
An employer cannot refuse to hire a woman because of her pregnancy related condition as long as she is able to perform the major functions of her job. An employer cannot refuse to hire her because of its prejudices against pregnant workers or the prejudices of co-workers, clients or customers.

Pregnancy and Maternity Leave
An employer may not single out pregnancy related conditions for special procedures to determine an employee's ability to work. However, an employer may use any procedure used to screen other employees' ability to work. For example, if an employer requires its employees to submit a doctor's statement concerning their inability to work before granting leave or paying sick benefits, the employer may require employees affected by pregnancy related conditions to submit such statements.

If an employee is temporarily unable to perform her job due to pregnancy, the employer must treat her the same as any other temporarily disabled employee; for example, by providing modified tasks, alternative assignments, disability leave or leave without pay.

Pregnant employees must be permitted to work as long as they are able to perform their jobs. If an employee has been absent from work as a result of a pregnancy related condition and recovers, her employer may not require her to remain on leave until the baby's birth. An employer may not have a rule which prohibits an employee from returning to work for a predetermined length of time after childbirth.

Employers must hold open a job for a pregnancy related absence the same length of time jobs are held open for employees on sick or disability leave.

Health Insurance
Any health insurance provided by an employer must cover expenses for pregnancy related conditions on the same basis as costs for other medical conditions. Health insurance for expenses arising from abortion is not required, except where the life of the mother is endangered.

Pregnancy related expenses should be reimbursed exactly as those incurred for other medical conditions, whether payment is on a fixed basis or a percentage of reasonable and customary charge basis.

The amounts payable by the insurance provider can be limited only to the same extent as costs for other conditions. No additional, increased or larger deductible can be imposed.

Employers must provide the same level of health benefits for spouses of male employees as they do for spouses of female employees.

Fringe Benefits
Pregnancy related benefits cannot be limited to married employees. In an all-female workforce or job classification, benefits must be provided for pregnancy related conditions if benefits are provided for other medical conditions.

If an employer provides any benefits to workers on leave, the employer must provide the same benefits for those on leave for pregnancy related conditions.

Employees with pregnancy related disabilities must be treated the same as other temporarily disabled employees for accrual and crediting of seniority, vacation calculation, pay increases and temporary disability benefits.


And if you have to file a report against your employer:
http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/howtofil.html

Answer 2

Yes, you are right. They CANNOT and would not fire you because you are pregnant. First and foremost, document the things that you feel you are being reprimanded for. You must ALWAYS have documentation of alleged discrimation if you feel that's what is going on. What I really suggest is that you go to your direct supervisor (behind closed doors & one on one) and tell her/him that you feel as though your work is being questioned. Tell her/him that you feel that you are doing things the way you always have but are getting complaints now. Do not mention you think you are treated differently because you are pregnant. Give it a week and see how you are being treated and if any additional problems regarding your work surface. If at the end of the week you feel the pressure yet, tell your direct supervisor that you are feeling as though you and your work are being judged unfairly and you would like to request a meeting with your supervisors direct supervisor. In other words, you must use the "chain of command" at your office. And, keep in mind, if you have a Human Resourse Department, they can assist you also. Also, take a good look at what is going on to be sure you aren't a bit more "sensitive" or emotional due to your pregnancy and the hormone adjustment you could be going through. Good luck - use your head!

Answer 3

It sounds like they're trying to find a way to fire you. Ask for a meeting with your supervisor, go in prepared with examples of how you're performing well and make him give examples of where you haven't. Tell him you feel you're being discriminated against because none of this started until after you told them you were expecting. See what he says. Maybe it hasn't been on purpose. Even if you feel you've resolved the issue, you need to file some kind of report with your Human Resourses department. If you honestly feel you're being discriminated against, don't let them get away with it. And if you do end up getting fired for something stupid, you'll at least have a report on file, so you can go from there.

Answer 4

Honey, I really hope that they are not trying to find a way to establish grounds to fire you, just because they don't want to deal with your pregnancy.

In your case, i would bypass my supervisor and go directly to human resources or the manager and seriously discuss the issue. Mention to both of them that you are doing a good job AND everything has been the same as far as your work performance and that you fear you might be targeted for your situation.

You have to withstand the treatment of the supervisor and continue doing your duties as per your work description. Don't give up and as soon as you realize that it's not a temporary situation, bring it up to the manager/HR. Good luck doll, and congrats on the baby.

Answer 5

A lot of women run into this problem. I had the same problem a while back myself. I just started looking for another job. I don't know if you are in the position to be able to do that but they are wanting to get rid of you because your pregnant and they can't get rid of you for that alone. Find a company that respects women and their right to have babies. Good luck.

Answer 6

Based on your offered evidence, you have not tied your pregnancy to their behavior. I know you THINK it is connected, but you haven't offered an conclusive evidence of such action.

As long as they keep their reason hidden, you will not be able to claim you know their reason.

Be sure not to offend the other direction - by refusing to do work that is reasonable for a pregnant person to perform! You each have a job to do and I would suggest both parties just focus on that.

Answer 7

It's very possible. If you want to keep this job, don't give them any reason(s) to let you go (e.g. being late). But always feeling like you're being watched is no fun. If I were you, I would probably start looking elsewhere.

Answer 8

I have been in your same situation.Your intuition may be correct! To cover yourself make sure you do everything by the book.If nothing changes, speak directly to the higher ups and express your concerns.This may be enough to scare them straight!!! Good Luck,in my case they picked on me so much I broke and ended up being terminated.Dont allow them to do that to you.

Answer 9

yes I think so, That really sucks. Well good luck and congrats on the baby