New Pregnancy Discrimination Guidelines Issued

The federal government has just issued new, expanded, guidelines concerning pregnant workers and workplace discrimination. The new rules provide that any workplace discrimination or harassment against pregnant workers constitutes illegal sex discrimination.

The guidelines were issued in response to what the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission described as persistent “overt pregnancy discrimination as well as the emergence of more subtle discriminatory practices.”

To learn about the new guidelines or if you believe you have been subjected to any form of pregnancy discrimination it’s important to consult with a knowledgeable Atlanta pregnancy discrimination lawyer.

The new guidelines detail how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to pregnant works and makes it illegal to discriminate against based on past or prospective future pregnancies.

These guidelines prohibit employers from forcing pregnant workers to take leave and acknowledge “employers may have to provide light duty for pregnant workers.” Additionally, breast-feeding and lactation are now covered as pregnancy-related medical conditions. Further, “similarly situated” men and women must be treated on the same terms concerning parental leave.

Just 2 weeks ago the Supreme Court agreed to hear a pregnancy discrimination case involving similar issues. From 1997 to 2011, pregnancy-related complaints have increased by 46%. For more information or if you or a loved one has been subjected any form of employment discrimination, please contact the experienced Georgia pregnancy discrimination lawyers at Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP for an immediate case evaluation.