Bronx Pregnancy Discrimination Attorneys

Fighting For Those Experienecing Discrimination Based on Their Pregnancy in New York

Phillips & Associates, PLLC, has established itself as a leading pregnancy discrimination law firm, having defended numerous victims of gender discrimination in the Bronx. We are dedicated to defending victims of workplace discrimination based on protected characteristics. Pregnancy discrimination is a common form of gender discrimination. 

Call (866) 229-9441 to speak to our pregnancy discrimination lawyers in the Bronx.

What is Pregnancy Discrimination?

Pregnancy discrimination refers to the disparate treatment of women based on their pregnancy status. It affects women in a wide variety of workplaces, from Wall Street to Main Street and beyond. 

Two women filed pregnancy discrimination claims against Wall Street banks, claiming they were either demoted or fired after returning from maternity leave. One manager asked an expectant mother if she planned to be a “career mom” or “mom mom” and made her pregnancy the butt of office jokes. When a female Syracuse police officer complained of such harassing behavior, the department turned around and accused her of misconduct after conducting a sham investigation of her behalf. Two other women obtained punitive damages against a medical clinic in South Dakota after management discharged them because of their pregnancies. One manager told the expectant mother that the company would hire a temp while she was on maternity leave but decided to fire her instead. 

Pregnancy Discrimination Laws

Federal and state laws protect workers against pregnancy discrimination. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) is an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The PDA is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, birth, or related medical conditions. Under this law, no employer may fire or refuse to hire a woman simply because she is pregnant. Further, pregnant employees must be permitted to work as long as they are able to perform their jobs. So, if an employee has been absent from work as a result of a pregnancy-related condition and recovers, the employer cannot make her stay on leave until the baby’s birth. Rules that prohibit an employee from returning to work for a predetermined length of time after childbirth are illegal. Our attorneys can protect you from illegal pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

We handle FMLA claims. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) grants male and female employees up to 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave to birth and care for a child. Parents who adopt or take in a foster child get the same benefits under this law. For employees who are not FMLA or PDA-eligible, New York State law covers smaller companies with less than 15 employees, reaching more pregnant employees than Title VII. 

How Our Pregnancy Discrimination Attorneys Can Help

Pregnancy discrimination permeates every level of employment and appears to be on the rise. Over the last decade, the number of pregnancy discrimination complaints received by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) increased by approximately 47%. During that time, the EEOC collected more than $160 million in monetary settlements on behalf of pregnancy discrimination victims. The EEOC received more than 6,000 complaints in 2010 alone. Pregnancy discrimination is based on outdated gender stereotypes and the notion that being a mother and productive worker are mutually exclusive. Working mothers are expected to fulfill their familial duties at the expense of their careers and are often penalized when they try to balance both. This bias is reflected in a wide range of discriminatory behavior that denies pregnant women equal employment opportunities and often derails their careers. Our attorneys handle pregnancy discrimination cases in the Bronx and the New York City area. Our consultations are free, and there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy Discrimination

What should I do if I suspect pregnancy discrimination at work?

If you think you are being discriminated against at your Bronx workplace because of pregnancy, start by documenting every incident as soon as it occurs. This means saving emails, taking notes on conversations, recording changes in assignments or hours, and reviewing your employer’s policies on pregnancy and family leave. Contact a pregnancy discrimination attorney in the Bronx at Phillips & Associates, PLLC for a consultation. Our team reviews your situation in detail, advises you on applicable federal, state, and city protections, and helps you navigate how to protect your job and assert your rights. Remember, New York and federal laws impose strict timeframes for bringing a claim, so taking prompt action is essential.

Can I be fired from my job for requesting pregnancy accommodations?

Employers in the Bronx are legally required to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy and related conditions under the New York City Human Rights Law, New York State Human Rights Law, and federal protections. Accommodations can include modified tasks, extra breaks, or adjusted schedules. It is unlawful for an employer to fire or otherwise retaliate against you for requesting these accommodations. If you have lost your job or faced adverse actions after seeking pregnancy accommodations, contact a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in the Bronx at Phillips & Associates, PLLC. We will evaluate your dismissal, advise you on next steps, and pursue legal action to safeguard your job and seek remedies as provided under these robust local laws.

Contact Our Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer in Bronx Today

If your employer treats you differently because you are pregnant, contact our experienced Bronx pregnancy discrimination attorneys for help. Phillips & Associates has successfully handled many workplace discrimination claims and can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. We work on a contingency basis, which means we do not get paid unless you do.

Call us at (866) 229-9441 today to get started with our Bronx pregnancy discrimination attorney.