Pregnancy should not force you to choose between your health and your career. Federal and Washington state laws protect pregnant employees from discrimination and require many employers to provide reasonable accommodations that allow them to continue working safely....
Maloney O'Laughlin PLLC fights for employees throughout Washington, from Seattle to Spokane.
Pregnancy Discrimination
Do mothers have a right to pump at work?
Mothers in Washington absolutely have a right to pump at work. They may need to do this for an extended amount of time after giving birth, and it is a way for them to focus on the best interests not just of themselves, but also of their children. This right is...
How to report workplace pregnancy discrimination in Washington
Pregnancy discrimination still happens in many Washington workplaces. If your employer treats you unfairly because you are pregnant, have recently given birth or have a related medical condition, you have the right to take action. Reporting it can help protect you and...
Discrimination in the workplace based on a past pregnancy
Pregnancy discrimination in the workplace is generally understood as treating a job applicant or employee unfavorably because they are pregnant. However, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits...
Is reassignment during pregnancy a form of discrimination?
A new role assignment during pregnancy can raise immediate questions about fairness, especially when you did not request the change.Recognizing when a reassignment becomes unlawful can help you understand what your options are when you need to file a complaint....
Are pregnant workers in Washington facing hidden discrimination?
Pregnancy discrimination is more common than most people realize. Many women find that once they announce a pregnancy or return from maternity leave, their career quietly starts to stall. It's not because their performance changed, but because of assumptions. Experts...
Identifying 4 common forms of workplace discrimination
Workplace discrimination is a significant problem that can negatively affect an employee’s well-being and performance. If their employer does not take measures that can address the issue, it can worsen and transform their organization into a hostile environment. Here...
Refusing to accommodate a pregnant worker could be discrimination
Pregnant women have major expenses ahead of them. Childbirth and postpartum care often result in substantial medical bills. Additionally, they may require time off work to bond with their newborn child and heal after delivery. Raising a child to adulthood is also very...
Discrimination based on the potential to get pregnant
Pregnancy discrimination is illegal. If a job applicant attends an interview while pregnant and an employer uses that pregnancy as a reason not to hire them, it is a violation of their rights. Similarly, if a current employee becomes pregnant and is terminated, passed...
Pregnancy and the meetings you stop getting invited to
You share pregnancy news at work. After that moment, meeting invites may decline. The shift often appears subtle. Your job title may stay the same. Your access to meetings may not. You may also notice fewer planning calls or updates. That timing can feel unsettling....