Numerous pregnant women are found in the workplace nowadays. Though they are pregnant, their condition did not stop them form working or earning money. However, there are instances when these women are discriminated in their workplace due to their physical condition. The term used when these situations occur is pregnancy discrimination.

What is Pregnancy Discrimination?

Pregnancy discrimination is defined as a type of discrimination based on a woman's pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical condition that constitutes an unlawful sex discrimination prohibited and under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Title VII covers employers who have 15 or more employees which include local and state governments. It is also applicable to labor organizations, employment agencies, as well as the federal government.

In addition, employers are obliged to treat pregnant women the same way as other employees or applicants who have the same limitations or abilities.

The scope of the protection for pregnant women which provided by Title VII include:

?Maternity and Pregnancy Leave

An employer is prohibited single out or use the condition of a pregnant women in for special procedures to be used in the aim of determining the ability of an employee to work.

If an employer is not able to due her job for temporarily because of her pregnancy, the employer should give that employee the treatment given to other employees who are temporarily disabled. These women should be allowed to work as long as they can and are able to do their jobs.

In a case wherein a pregnant has been absent because of a condition related to her pregnancy and recovers, her employer may not oblige her to stay on leave until the baby is born.

?Hiring

An employer is prohibited by law to refuse or deny employment to a pregnant woman due to her pregnancy, as well as any of her condition related to the pregnancy, or because of the chauvinism of co-employees, clients, or customers.

?Health insurance

Any kind of insurance that is provided by an employer should also cover or include conditions that are related to a woman's pregnancy wherein the same basis regarding the cost of other medical conditions will be used.

?Fringe Benefits

Benefits which are related to a woman's pregnancy should not only be given to married employees. In a job classification or workforce which is dominated by female, benefits must be given for conditions which are related to pregnancy if benefits are given for other different other medical conditions.

Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyers will Help in Voicing out you Rights

There are thousands of cases reported wherein a pregnant woman suffers discrimination due to her condition. There are 5,587 cases of pregnancy discrimination that was received by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the Fiscal Year of 2007 alone.

Aside from the 5,587 pregnant women who had the courage to fight for their rights, other women who experiences or are discriminated should not be afraid to fight for themselves, their rights, and dignity.

If you or someone you know is suffering from pregnancy discrimination, there are pregnancy discrimination lawyers who are willing to help you. These lawyers are aware of your condition and the things you are going through. In addition, they will be the ones who will help you voice out your rights.