Pregnancy-related health conditions can make it harder for you to do your job. If you’re dealing with things like morning sickness, gestational diabetes, or other health problems during pregnancy, these conditions might affect your work. It’s important to know your rights and how these conditions may change your responsibilities at work, especially in Washington. The law gives you rights to protection and help in these situations.
Your rights under Washington law
Washington law offers strong protection for pregnant employees. Under the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), your employer must give you reasonable accommodations if you’re dealing with pregnancy or health issues related to your pregnancy. This could mean things like changing your work hours, giving you more breaks, or adjusting your job duties to fit your health needs.
If you have health conditions related to pregnancy, your employer must consider your needs. They should make these changes unless doing so would cause a big problem for the company. This ensures you can continue to work in a way that’s safe for you and your baby.
What counts as a reasonable accommodation?
Reasonable accommodations can look different depending on your needs. Some examples include extra breaks, more comfortable seating, or lighter tasks if your pregnancy affects your ability to do certain jobs. For instance, if you’re dealing with morning sickness, you might need to take more breaks throughout the day. Or if you can’t do heavy lifting because of your pregnancy, your employer might let you take on less physical work.
When you need an accommodation, your employer must work with you to find a solution that helps you. It’s important to ask for the help you need and to talk with your employer about how they can make your work life easier while you’re dealing with pregnancy-related health conditions.
What if your employer won’t help?
If your employer refuses to make reasonable changes for your pregnancy-related health condition, they might be breaking the law. You can file a complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). These groups can investigate and make sure your rights are respected.
Washington law also protects you from retaliation. Your employer can’t punish you for asking for accommodations, so if they do, you might have a case for discrimination.
By understanding your rights and the protections Washington law provides, you can feel confident asking for help if you need it while dealing with pregnancy-related health conditions at work.