Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney in Akron, Ohio

Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), an amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers are not permitted to discriminate against women due to their pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical condition. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an employer cannot refuse to hire a woman because she is pregnant, as long as her pregnancy doesn't interfere with her ability to perform the job. Pregnant women cannot be discriminated against for pay, promotions, job assignments, training, fringe benefits, and other terms of employment. Women are permitted leave for their pregnancy and their jobs must be held for them. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, women are permitted 12 weeks of paid or unpaid leave. Certain pregnancy conditions may also be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you feel that you have lost your job due to your pregnancy, or feel that you have been denied a raise or other promotion due to your pregnancy, you may have important rights under the law. The pregnancy discrimination lawyers in Akron & Toledo, OH at the Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III can review the circumstances of your case and can fight to help you receive the compensation you may deserve under the law.

Pregnant on The Job: What You Should Know

If you are pregnant on the job, you have important protections under the law. Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, your employer must provide the same accommodations to you it would provide to other temporarily disabled workers. Additionally, if you are pregnant, your employer is not permitted to require you to take time off work, if you can perform the functions of your job. You are permitted to take up to 12 weeks paid or unpaid leave in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act, and when you return, your employer must reinstate you to your job in a manner that it reinstates other workers with temporary disabilities. Finally, you must not be denied seniority credit if other temporarily disabled workers retain their seniority credit during the time they are away.

Despite these regulations, every day in America, women are fired because they are pregnant. According to CNN, in just a one-year time frame there were 5,370 charges that women were terminated on account of their pregnancy. Yet, it is important to understand that only your doctor and you can make decisions about the safety of your fetus-not your employer or boss. If you have been fired and feel that this is due to your pregnancy, you may be entitled to seek damages for your lost wages. Contact the pregnancy discrimination attorneys in Akron & Toledo, OH at the Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III.

If you are pregnant during interviews, a company cannot refuse to hire you on the basis of your pregnancy. Additionally, if you plan to become pregnant in the future, an employer cannot refuse to hire you. Few men face this kind of discrimination and few men would be asked whether they plan to have children in an interview. Unfortunately, women face this kind of illegal bias all the time.

There are also new laws in place to protect lactating women. Under the Affordable Care Act, employers must provide breaks to lactating mothers so they can pump breast milk. Employers are required to provide pregnant women a safe place to do this-and a bathroom doesn't count. Finally, if you have an abortion, you cannot be fired. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act protects women who get an abortion or those who are considering an abortion.

If you believe you have faced pregnancy discrimination, you may have important rights under the law. Document all instances of harassment or discrimination. If you have lost your job or a promotion, consider speaking to the pregnancy discrimination lawyers at the Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III in Akron, Ohio. Our firm can review the circumstances of your case, seek damages either inside or outside of court, and fight for your rights under the law.

Fight for Your Rights

Your pregnancy may be the most exciting time of your life. Unfortunately, for some new mothers, pregnancy brings with it work challenges and pushback from employers. Under the law, pregnant women are protected from certain kinds of discrimination. If you are facing discrimination or feel that you have lost a job or not been hired due to your pregnancy, you may have rights. The pregnancy discrimination lawyers at the Law Offices of F. Benjamin Riek III in Akron, Ohio work closely with women who have faced discrimination. Our firm may be able to get you reinstated or help you seek lost wages for the time you missed from work due to a layoff or firing. Our firm prides itself on offering compassionate advocacy for women facing discrimination. Call us today.

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