{"id":357701,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/employment-discrimination\/pregnancy-discrimination.html"},"modified":"2025-03-25T16:50:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T21:50:00","slug":"pregnancy-discrimination","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/employment-discrimination\/pregnancy-discrimination.html","title":{"rendered":"Pregnancy Discrimination Laws in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pregnancy Discrimination Laws in the Workplace<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Pregnancy discrimination is illegal at work. Workers have protections for pregnancy leaves, reasonable accommodations, and fair work conditions. Yet, some employees and job applicants still experience unfair employment decisions. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Pregnancy discrimination occurs when a company treats an employee differently based on their pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition. This discrimination can take many forms, such as in hiring and firing practices.<\/p>\r\n

State and federal laws protect pregnant workers. These laws also apply to job candidates. You may want to speak with an attorney<\/a> if you believe you or a co-worker have encountered employment discrimination<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Are Pregnant Employees a Protected Class?<\/h2>\r\n

Yes, pregnancy is a protected status in U.S. employment law. Anti-discrimination laws prohibit unfairness based on many factors, such as gender, age, and religion. They also include the basis of pregnancy. Pregnancy discrimination often overlaps with disability, sexual orientation<\/a>, marital status, and sex discrimination<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

An employer cannot make hiring, firing, promotion, or demotion decisions based on whether an employee is pregnant. Yet, proving that a worker’s pregnancy motivated an employer’s decision can be difficult. Employers have broad discretion in at-will employment<\/a> matters.<\/p>\r\n

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act<\/h2>\r\n

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act<\/a> (PDA) is part of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964<\/a>. This law prevents employers from discriminating against pregnant employees. It applies to all employers and agencies with fifteen or more employees.<\/p>\r\n

There are also state laws prohibiting discrimination against pregnant workers. Many court cases have also shaped workers\u2019 protections.<\/p>\r\n

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) oversees the enforcement of many of these laws. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) also enforces related laws, such as family leave.<\/p>\r\n

Employers\u2019 Duties Toward Pregnant Workers<\/h2>\r\n

Federal and state laws<\/a> offer special protections for pregnant workers and people considering starting a family. The employer\u2019s policies and practices need to account for these laws.<\/p>\r\n

It is illegal to treat workers unfairly because of the following:<\/p>\r\n