Experienced Maryland Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney

Employment Law

Just because you are pregnant does not mean that an employer can refuse to hire you, treat you differently than other employees or discharge you from your employment. Pregnancy discrimination is prohibited under federal and state anti-discrimination laws. An employer cannot discriminate against an employee because of her pregnancy or her pregnancy-related medical condition, nor can an employer make an employment decision based on a stereotype of the capabilities of pregnant women.

Under federal law, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibits an employer from using pregnancy as a factor in hiring, firing, and demoting.


The most egregious cases of pregnancy discrimination occur when an employee discloses her pregnancy and is terminated shortly thereafter.  Typically, however, pregnancy discrimination is more nuanced and less obvious. 

If you are pregnant, you also may be entitled to protection under other federal and state laws.  For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires an employer to reasonably accommodate an employee’s pregnancy-related medical condition.  Likewise, a pregnant employee may be entitled to coverage under the Family and Medical Leave Act, which would allow the employee to take up to twelve weeks of unpaid protected leave to care for a newborn or newly adopted child.  Some state laws, including Maryland’s Pregnant Worker’s Fairness Act and D.C.’s Human Rights Act, impose broader accommodation obligations on employers than those outlined in federal laws.  Because of the interplay between both federal and state laws, you want an experienced Maryland pregnancy discrimination attorney who can counsel you on your rights.

At The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, L.L.C., we focus on vindicating the rights of employees who have been discriminated against because of their pregnancy.  Indeed, we understand that when an employer reduces the hours of a pregnant employee or terminates her employment because of her pregnancy, this can seriously impact not only the employee but her family.  Our attorneys will fight back on your behalf to make sure not only that you are compensated by the employer for this discrimination but also to ensure that other female employees are protected from future discriminatory conduct by that employer.

Signs Of Pregnancy Discrimination

Although pregnancy discrimination has long been prohibited under the law, it still occurs all too often in the workplace.  The most egregious cases of pregnancy discrimination occur when an employee discloses her pregnancy and is terminated shortly thereafter.  Typically, however, pregnancy discrimination is more nuanced and less obvious.  For example, some employers will deny pregnant employees accommodations that they’ve freely given to other employees with a temporary medical condition, such as accommodations in their work schedule for visits to the doctor or light duty if their job requires physical labor.  If you believe you have been the victim of pregnancy discrimination, please contact an experienced Maryland pregnancy discrimination attorney at The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, L.L.C. for a confidential consultation.

A Maryland Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney Can Help You

Working with the experienced lawyers here at The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, L.L.C. is simple, confidential and efficient. We thoroughly review your options and the law and then put together a comprehensive strategy to achieve your goals.  Jamaal (“Jay”) W. Stafford is an experienced pregnancy discrimination attorney in Maryland, and he is no stranger to the courtroom.  He brings to bear his litigation experience and employment law expertise to craft creative solutions for each of his clients.  If you believe you have been treated unfairly or have been discriminated against because of your pregnancy, contact us or call us at 410-514-6099 so that we can advise you and be your advocate.

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