Pregnancy should be a time of excitement and preparation — not fear of losing your job. Yet, many workers still face discrimination or even termination after disclosing they are pregnant.
If you’re asking, “Can I be fired for being pregnant?”, the short answer is no — not legally.
At Employees First Labor Law, we help California employees stand up to pregnancy discrimination and protect their rights to job security, medical leave, and fair treatment.
🔹 Pregnancy Is Protected Under California and Federal Law
It is illegal for your employer to fire, demote, harass, or otherwise treat you unfairly because you are pregnant.
You are protected under:
- California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)
- Pregnancy Disability Leave Law (PDLL)
- Federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)
- California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and FMLA (if eligible)
These laws apply to employers with 5 or more employees (FEHA) and provide robust protections even during small stretches of employment.
🔹 Common Examples of Illegal Pregnancy Discrimination
Some employers try to disguise discrimination, but common tactics include:
- Firing an employee shortly after disclosing their pregnancy
- Refusing to accommodate medical restrictions (like no heavy lifting)
- Denying time off for prenatal appointments or pregnancy-related illness
- Pressuring an employee to take leave early or quit entirely
- Eliminating a job “suddenly” before the baby is due
- Replacing the pregnant employee during leave and not reinstating them
If any of these have happened to you, you may have a strong wrongful termination or retaliation claim.
🔹 What Accommodations Are You Entitled To?
You have the right to reasonable accommodations, including:
- Light duty or adjusted schedules
- Extra breaks for restroom use or hydration
- Temporary transfers to less strenuous positions
- Time off for medical appointments or pregnancy-related disability
You can also take up to 4 months of job-protected leave under the Pregnancy Disability Leave Law (PDLL), and additional bonding time under CFRA or FMLA (if you qualify).
🔹 What If You’re Fired While Pregnant?
If you’re terminated after disclosing your pregnancy or requesting accommodations:
- Do not sign anything without speaking to an attorney
- Document everything — emails, texts, write-ups, performance reviews
- Request a written reason for your termination
- Call an experienced pregnancy discrimination attorney immediately
At EFLL, we step in right away to evaluate your termination and determine whether it violates FEHA, PDLL, CFRA, or other state/federal laws.
🔹 Why Choose Employees First Labor Law?
We’ve represented countless pregnant workers who were wrongfully fired, denied accommodations, or retaliated against. Our attorneys know how to:
- File FEHA and EEOC complaints
- Demand reinstatement and back pay
- Secure damages for emotional distress and lost benefits
- Pursue punitive damages in egregious cases
And unlike many firms, we don’t just settle — we litigate and win.
Pregnancy should be celebrated — not punished. We make sure employers are held accountable when they cross the line.
✅ Free Case Review for Pregnant Workers
If you believe you were fired, mistreated, or denied your rights because of pregnancy, contact Employees First Labor Law today. We offer free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win.
🔗 Related Posts:
Wrongful Termination in California: What Counts and What Doesn’t
Reasonable Accommodations at Work: Your Rights
