Pregnancy should be a time of joy and preparation — not fear of losing your job. Yet, many women still face workplace discrimination after sharing the news of their pregnancy. In California, it is illegal for an employer to fire, demote, or otherwise penalize you simply because you are pregnant. Both federal laws (such as the Pregnancy Discrimination Act) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) provide strong protections.
Pregnancy discrimination can appear in many forms: being excluded from meetings, denied a promotion, forced into unpaid leave, or even being terminated shortly after revealing a pregnancy. Even subtle forms of mistreatment can have a big impact on your career and well-being.
If you suspect your employer has treated you unfairly due to your pregnancy, document every interaction and reach out to an employment law attorney. You may have a strong case to recover compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and more.
