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...
Maloney O'Laughlin PLLC fights for employees throughout Washington, from Seattle to Spokane.
Pregnancy Discrimination
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....
Seeking pregnancy accommodations should not be a battle
Pregnancy can be a very trying time. Even those who are excited about expanding their families may face unexpected medical challenges. Preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and a host of other medical issues can arise with minimal warning. Women attempting to work...
Your rights as a pregnant worker in Washington
If you are pregnant and working in Washington, it helps to know what protections exist for you. Understanding your rights can help you plan your work schedule, stay safe and feel more confident in your job. Staying informed also helps you recognize when you need...
Pregnancy discrimination at work: Common signs and what to do
You are doing your job well, but after you share that you are pregnant, your hours slip, comments start or opportunities dry up. You might be wondering if you are facing pregnancy discrimination and what you can do in Washington state. The short answer is that the law...
What if a pregnant employee cannot do physical labor?
Employers are not allowed to discriminate against employees who have become pregnant. If an employee reports that she is pregnant to her boss, and he immediately fires her as a result, it is a wrongful termination. That said, certain jobs do require physical labor....
When can employers fire a pregnant worker?
You probably know someone who was let go because they got pregnant. Perhaps they were given a good severance package, and yet you wonder: was that even legal? Being pregnant doesn't give your employer the right to just push you out. Seattle has strong laws protecting...
When pregnancy leads to a hostile work environment
Sometimes, pregnancy discrimination is overt and direct. Employers terminate pregnant workers when they start showing or refuse to accommodate them when they have medical restrictions on their job functions. They fire or demote pregnant women for taking paid or even...
Can your employer give your job away during maternity leave?
If you're pregnant and planning for maternity leave, you may have concerns about job security while you're away. In Washington state, laws protect workers from discrimination based on pregnancy and maternity leave. Does this mean your employer can’t give your job...