It is not uncommon for a pregnant woman to wonder whether she will be regarded as a viable candidate by the company due to her pregnancy status when job searching. Although it is illegal, pregnancy discrimination occurs daily, and job seekers may encounter it during the application and interview processes. However, discrimination against a pregnant woman in the recruiting process has legal implications. A lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and what you can do when discriminated against. Schedule a consultation with an attorney near me.
Considering pregnancy status in the hiring process is illegal.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a government agency that was established to protect workers from workplace discrimination. According to the EEOC, it is prohibited for an employer to deny hiring a qualified applicant because she is pregnant. This protection applies to all stages of the employment process, including job postings, interviews, and reference checks.
This could be regarded as proof of pregnancy discrimination if you are asked about your pregnancy at an interview or on a job application. For example, if you are asked if you intend to have more children or when you plan to take maternity leave, this could signal that the company considers your pregnancy when making recruiting decisions.
How can you hold an employer accountable?
Pregnancy discrimination can occur in a variety of situations. One example is when you are explicitly told by an employer that you cannot work because you are pregnant. Another kind of pregnancy discrimination is if you work and apply for accommodation or suspect you are being treated differently because you are pregnant.
You can take a few actions if you believe you were not recruited because of your pregnancy status. First, contact the recruiting manager or human resources department to inquire why you were not chosen for the position. If they bring up your pregnancy status or reference pregnancy as a reason for their decision, this could be considered evidence of discrimination.
You may also file a complaint with the EEOC. The EEOC will evaluate your claim and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to file a lawsuit against the employer. An experienced employment attorney can guide you through the process if you decide to file a case.
Talk to an attorney today.
If a company has been implementing pregnancy discrimination practices for many years, people in charge of hiring will be quite skilled at keeping their true objectives hidden. Even if you believe discrimination occurred, remember that knowing it and proving it are two separate things. Consult an attorney today instead of wondering if it is lawful to be fired while pregnant and have an amazing employment opportunity taken away from you merely because you are about to become a mother.