Pregnancy Discrimination Attorneys In Kansas City

Most employers understand that mothers need some time away from work to care for a newborn baby. In other situations, expecting mothers may require time away from work due to medical restrictions. Federal laws are in place to ensure that expecting mothers have adequate time to care for newborns.

In spite of these laws, some employers take adverse actions against pregnant women or women who have just given birth. Carter Law Offices is dedicated to representing women who have been the victims of employment discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of pregnancy. Our pregnancy discrimination lawyers take great pride in giving a voice to those who cannot stand up for their own rights.

If you’ve faced discrimination by your employer because you are pregnant or have recently had a child, call our Kansas City office today at 816-283-3500 for a free consultation to discuss your situation.

Pregnant Women And Discrimination In The Workplace

Unfortunately, many women return from leave to find that their original job has been filled or that they are “not needed anymore.” In other cases, pregnant women are treated differently from other employees, in violation of the law.

Carter Law Offices has represented many victims of unlawful discrimination throughout Kansas City and beyond. We know that in most cases, employers will use pretense to explain away their actions. We will get to the facts of the matter to show what really happened and recover the damages you are entitled to under the law. These damages can include reinstatement, back pay, front pay and damages for emotional distress. Punitive damages may also apply.

Forms Of Pregnancy Discrimination In The Workplace

Many people think that pregnancy discrimination is obvious, but unfortunately, like many other forms of discrimination, it can be highly insidious and difficult to notice in all of its different applications. There are many ways in which you can be discriminated against, and it can be hard to detect without the help of a skilled employment law attorney who understands these complex issues.

Discrimination Before Hire: Interview Shaming And Denied Positions

One of the more difficult-to-determine examples of pregnancy discrimination is being denied a job because of your pregnancy or your potential for pregnancy. Most employers will not openly disclose why they denied you a job, so it is difficult to determine the reason when you do not have inside information.

While asking about your pregnancy plans during a job interview is strong evidence of discriminatory intent, the questions themselves are not explicitly illegal under federal or Missouri statutes; rather, using that information to deny you employment is what violates the law.

Timed Terminations: Sudden Job Loss After Revealing Your Pregnancy

Another common form of pregnancy discrimination is losing your job shortly after revealing that you are pregnant. Many employers will not disclose why they fired you. However, if there was no other explanation, they may have given you a pretextual (fake) reason for your termination because they secretly believed that your pregnancy would interfere with your ability to work, despite that being illegal.

Additionally, your employer may retaliate against you because you raised an issue over pregnancy discrimination. This will also usually be accompanied by a pretextual excuse for your termination that is completely unrelated to the complaint you raised.

Denial Of Reasonable Accommodations Under The PWFA

The legal landscape for pregnant workers has recently shifted to provide you with much stronger protections. The federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) applies only to employers with 15 or more employees, while the PUMP Act applies to employers of all sizes. However, businesses with fewer than 50 employees can claim an exemption if they show that compliance would cause them an undue hardship.

Employers shall provide reasonable accommodation for pregnancy, childbirth, and other medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, unless this accommodation would impose an “undue hardship” on the employer.

This brings the law in line with ADA protections, regardless of whether the pregnancy constitutes a formal disability. Furthermore, employers are required to provide you with breaks to pump breast milk and a safe, private location in which to do so that is not a restroom. Failing to do so or, worse, discouraging you from pumping, is a serious form of discrimination.

Actionable violations under the PWFA include a company’s refusal to provide:

• More frequent restroom, water or rest breaks.
• Modifications to uniform policies or seating arrangements.
• Light-duty options or temporary reassignments to avoid heavy lifting.
• Flexible scheduling to accommodate vital prenatal medical appointments.

Refusing to provide these accommodations can contribute to a hostile work environment, which also encompasses verbal harassment against you based on your pregnancy. Our collective mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve, and each member of our team is dedicated to seeing you achieve the best possible results through decisive legal action.

Call Carter Law Offices

If you were fired, demoted or suffered some other adverse action at your job because of a pregnancy, our employment law attorneys can help you protect your rights. To schedule a free consultation at our Kansas City law office, contact us online or call 816-283-3500.