Practice Areas Washington, D.C. Employment Law Washington, D.C. Discrimination Washington, D.C. Pregnancy Discrimination

Washington, D.C. Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney

Are You a Victim of Discrimination? Find Out from an Experienced Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney

Like many other forms of discrimination, employers are expressly prohibited from engaging in pregnancy-related discrimination in all aspects of employment. Unfortunately, this does not stop many employers from violating job applicants’ and employees’ rights. If you believe your rights may have been violated, a Washington, D.C. pregnancy discrimination attorney at our firm can help you make informed decisions and, if warranted, take appropriate legal action on your behalf.

Understanding What Constitutes Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace

So, when can (and should) you file a claim for pregnancy discrimination in the workplace? The definition of pregnancy discrimination is broader than most people realize. Under the law, employers are prohibited from discriminating against job applicants and employees in Washington, D.C. based on any of the following:

• Potential pregnancy (including efforts or desires to become pregnant)
• Current pregnancy (including pregnancy-related medical conditions)
• Past pregnancy (including terminated pregnancies and those ending in miscarriages)
• Medical conditions related to labor, delivery, and childbirth (including lactation, breastfeeding, and disabilities)
• Personal decisions regarding pregnancy-related matters (including breastfeeding, birth control, and abortion)

Discrimination based on these (and other) pregnancy-related conditions can take many different forms. Under the laws discussed below, employers in Washington, D.C. can be held accountable for pregnancy-related discrimination in cases involving:

• Hiring, job placement, and promotion
• Access to advancement opportunities
• Access to high-level clients and job assignments
• Job location (including denial of remote work opportunities)
• Termination of employment

This list is not exclusive. Along with other adverse employment-related decisions, employees can also file pregnancy-related harassment claims in appropriate cases. Ultimately, if you believe that you have experienced any form of disparate treatment or disparate impact related to your pregnancy (or your decision not to have a baby), it will be worth talking to a Washington D.C. pregnancy discrimination attorney about your legal rights.

Laws that Prohibit Pregnancy Discrimination in Washington, D.C.

Several laws protect job applicants and employees in Washington, D.C. against pregnancy discrimination. Depending on your individual circumstances, our attorneys may be able to help you file a claim under:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) – Title VII prohibits pregnancy discrimination as a form of sex-based discrimination.
• Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) – The PDA prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or any medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth.
• Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) – The PWFA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to workers who need them due to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – The ADA applies in cases in which pregnancy-related medical conditions cause qualifying disabilities.
• Washington D.C. Human Rights Act (DCHRA) – The DCHRA broadly prohibits pregnancy-related discrimination, and it applies to all employers in Washington D.C., regardless of size.

Filing a Claim for Pregnancy Discrimination in Washington, D.C.

If you have a pregnancy discrimination claim in Washington, D.C., the steps you need to take to assert your legal rights depend on your individual circumstances. Most cases will involve filing a complaint with either the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Washington, D.C. Office of Human Rights (OHR). Our attorneys handle both types of complaints on behalf of job applicants and current and former employees.

How Our Attorneys Can Help You

Regardless of your individual circumstances, if you have questions about filing a pregnancy discrimination claim in Washington, D.C., there are several ways our attorneys can help you. Depending on your legal needs, our attorneys are prepared to take steps, including:

• Determining if You Have a Pregnancy Discrimination Claim – We can assess your individual circumstances to determine if you have grounds to take legal action.
• Determining What Remedies Are Available to You – If you have grounds to take legal action, we can also determine what remedies are available to you.
• Helping You Decide Whether to Take Legal Action – After thoroughly assessing your legal rights, we can help you make an informed decision about whether to file a pregnancy discrimination claim.
• Taking Legal Action on Your Behalf – If you decide that you want to file a pregnancy discrimination claim, our attorneys will take appropriate legal action on your behalf.
• Seeking Appropriate Remedies by All Available Means – From filing a formal complaint to negotiating with your employer (if desired), our attorneys will work to recover appropriate remedies on your behalf by all available means.

FAQs: Holding Employers Accountable for Pregnancy Discrimination

What Are the Potential Remedies in Pregnancy Discrimination Cases?

The remedies that are available in any particular case depend on the specific circumstances involved. With this in mind, potential remedies in pregnancy discrimination cases generally include economic damages (for lost income and benefits), non-economic damages (for emotional distress), and job-related remedies such as placement or reinstatement. In some cases, punitive damages are also available. Eligible job applicants and employees can also seek to recover their legal fees and other claim-related costs.

How Long Do I Have to File a Pregnancy Discrimination Claim?

How long you have to file a pregnancy discrimination claim depends on the specific law that applies in your case. With that said, regardless of how long you have to file, you should not wait any longer than necessary to take legal action.

If I Am Still Employed, Will Filing a Pregnancy Discrimination Claim Put My Job at Risk?

Your employer cannot legally retaliate against you for filing a pregnancy discrimination claim. As a result, your job should not be at risk if you decide to come forward. If your employer retaliates against you in violation of the law, you will be entitled to additional remedies.

Discuss Your Case with a Washington, D.C. Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney in Confidence

Do you have questions about filing a pregnancy discrimination claim in Washington, D.C.? If so, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. To discuss your case with an experienced Washington D.C. pregnancy discrimination attorney at The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford in confidence, please call 410-514-6099 or contact us confidentially online today.