In Washington State, pregnant workers have specific rights when it comes to taking leave from their jobs. However, employers may not always provide full information about these rights, leaving some workers unaware of the benefits and protections available to them.
It is important to fully understand your rights to pregnancy leave and to recognize signs of pregnancy discrimination from your employer if they attempt to withhold information about those rights.
You have the right to take pregnancy leave
Under Washington State law, pregnant workers have the right to reasonable accommodations at work, including pregnancy leave. The Washington Law Against Discrimination and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act both protect these rights. Pregnant employees may take time off for prenatal care, childbirth and recovery. They may also receive job protection, meaning the employer must hold their position for them during their leave.
You can also use other forms of leave
One of the benefits of pregnancy leave in Washington is that you can combine it with other types of leave. For example, if you qualify under FMLA, you may receive up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave. Additionally, Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave offers paid time off, which can help you ease the financial burden.
You might not qualify for leave
Not every employee qualifies for these benefits. FMLA only covers employees who have worked at least 1,250 hours over the past year and work for companies with 50 or more employees. Similarly, PFML requires employees to have worked at least 820 hours in the previous year. Before taking time off work, consider if you have access to these protections.
You can take legal action against pregnancy discrimination
If your employer denies you the right to pregnancy leave or fails to provide full information about available benefits, they may be guilty of pregnancy discrimination. In Washington, employers must inform pregnant employees of their rights, and failing to do so can violate state law. An employer may not pressure an employee to return to work too soon, nor can they retaliate against an employee for taking leave.
Washington law ensures that pregnant employees receive fair treatment and have access to the leave they need. By understanding these rights, you can protect yourself from potential discrimination while caring for yourself during an important transitionary time in your life.