Top 5 Tips to Avoid Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuits
This week, two women filed a federal, class action lawsuit against AT&T 's mobile phone subsidiary, AT&T Mobility, claiming the company's attendance policy violates both the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. The case could have national implications for employers and the legal boundaries of demerit-based attendance policies like AT&T's.
It can be difficult putting together family leave policies for employees in general, and especially for pregnant employees or those on maternity leave. How do you treat all employees equally? How do you make sure all the work gets done? And how do you avoid getting sued for pregnancy discrimination?
1. How to Avoid Pregnancy Discrimination at Work
Hopefully you already know that you can't discriminate against an employee based on pregnancy. That starts during the interview process and continues through maternity leave. But what does pregnancy discrimination actually entail, and how do you avoid it?
2. New Moms at Your Workplace? Know These 5 Laws
The first place to look for the rules on pregnant employees are federal, state, and local statutes. The federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act are good starting points, but don't forget about state pregnancy disability statutes or local breastfeeding-at-work laws.
3. EEOC's New Pregnant Worker Guidelines: What Employers Need to Know
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission also has guidelines for employers, including lactation breaks and a ban on forced leave during an employee's pregnancy. And if you violate a federal employment law, it's generally the EEOC who shows up at your door with a lawsuit.
4. Top 3 Workplace Protections for Pregnant Employees
Beyond the statutes and EEOC guidelines, there are some general rules employers should follow regarding pregnant employees. These include providing reasonable accommodations; equal treatment regarding training, work assignment, and promotion; and preventing pregnancy-based harassment at work.
5. How to Avoid Being Sued Over Pregnancy, Maternity
Clearly, the easiest way to avoid a pregnancy or maternity discrimination lawsuit is to treat all pregnant employees and new mothers equally. But a seemingly gender-neutral attendance policy can result in de facto discrimination against pregnant employees, leading to legal action.
If you have more pregnancy discrimination-related questions or want legal advice in crafting your business's attendance policy, contact an experienced employment attorney in your area.
Related Resources:
- Find Employment Lawyers Near You (FindLaw's Lawyer Directory)
- 5 Laws Protecting Pregnant Employees (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
- Single Parents at Work: 3 Legal Facts for Employers (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
- UPS Pregnancy Case at the Supreme Court: 5 Things You Should Know (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)