Pregnancy discrimination
Discrimination on the basis of pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition is prohibited in the state of New York. It is governed by both state law and the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and victims are often able to recover compensation. To learn whether you have a claim, call our office today to speak with a New York pregnancy discrimination lawyer.
Prohibited Discrimination
The federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act forbids discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth. This prohibition applies to any aspect of employment, including: :
- Hiring
- Firing
- Pay rates
- Promotions
- Layoffs
- Training
- Benefits
- Job Assignments
New York also protects pregnant women against workplace discrimination. New York law prohibits discrimination in hiring by failing to offer a woman a job, promotion, or other benefits solely because she is pregnant. The law also prohibits employers from forcing pregnant women to take off time solely because they are pregnant. So long as she can perform her job, a pregnant woman must be treated the same as any other employee. Finally, a woman cannot be fired solely for being pregnant.
Reasonable Accommodations
In addition to avoiding discriminating against pregnant women, employers must provide reasonable accommodations to assist pregnant women in performing their work. Although New York’s laws do not specifically require accommodation, if there is a pregnancy-related disability, the employer may be required to accommodate that disability.
New York’s Human Rights Law
Pregnancy discrimination is governed by the New York State Human Rights Law. It offers essentially the same coverage as the federal law but applies to companies as small as only four employees. This coverage is much broader than federal law, which applies to employers with fifteen or more employees.
Call a New York Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation
If you believe that you have been discriminated against because of your pregnancy at work, it’s important that you speak to a lawyer as soon as you can. Our attorneys fight hard for the the rights of pregnant women and are ready to represent you. To schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced attorney, call A.Y.G., PLLC today at 646-201-8625 or contact us online.