Pregnancy discrimination is a form of sex discrimination under California law. If you are facing this kind of discrimination, things can feel confusing, overwhelming, and uncomfortable, along with the very real impact on your career and personal life.
An experienced pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Covina can help you understand your rights, provide legal guidance and support, and help you move forward with a claim.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we are a modern law firm that puts our clients first. If you’ve faced pregnancy discrimination, you may have legal recourse. Reaching out to our firm for a free consultation with a Covina employment lawyer is the first step.
What Is Considered Pregnancy Discrimination in California?
Pregnancy discrimination is considered any type of discrimination or unfavorable treatment that a person faces due to pregnancy and anything related to pregnancy, such as childbirth and pregnancy accommodations.
A few examples of this type of discrimination can include any of the following actions if they are related to pregnancy:
- Reducing hours, responsibilities, and opportunities
- Pressure to resign before, during, or after pregnancy
- Not providing reasonable accommodations during or after pregnancy
- Not providing pregnancy or family medical leave, which is a legal right in California
- Refusing to reinstate an employee after approved leave
If you are unsure whether what you are facing is considered pregnancy discrimination, speaking to a lawyer can provide more clarification.
What California Laws Protect Pregnant Workers?
If you’re living in Covina, California, it may be a relief to hear that the state has some of the best protections in place for pregnant individuals in the country.
Here are a few different laws in place that can better help you understand the rights you have in the workplace:
- The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): This makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees, including pregnant individuals, and to not provide reasonable accommodations.
- The California Family Rights Act (CFRA): This act provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of protected baby-bonding leave after childbirth, adoption, or foster placement.
- California’s Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL): This allows eligible employees to take up to four months of leave if they are disabled from pregnancy, childbirth, or any other condition related to pregnancy that causes disability.
Employees in Covina and throughout California are protected by these state-specific laws, which often provide greater rights and remedies than federal employment statutes.
What Compensation May Be Available in a Pregnancy Discrimination Case?
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Lost wages for things like termination, denied promotion, or missed career opportunities
- Lost employment benefits
- Future lost earnings and earning capacity
- Emotional distress damages
- Punitive damages in some cases
- Attorneys’ fees, court costs, and related expenses
- Reinstatement to your former position, when appropriate
- Other equitable relief as ordered by the court
The compensation available will depend on the facts of your case, the extent of your losses, and the nature of your employer’s conduct.
What Should I Do if I Have Faced Pregnancy Discrimination in Covina?
Here are the recommended steps to take if you are facing pregnancy discrimination:
Document All Communication and Events
It’s very important to document all communications that you’ve received that may be evidence; this can include communication via email, text, Slack, Teams, and written statements.
If one or more instances happen, keep track of the date, time, details of what happened, and who was present.
Report Things Internally
While California law does not require internal reporting to HR or higher up, it can be helpful for record-keeping and as evidence.
File a Complaint With the Appropriate Agency
It’s also helpful to go ahead and file a claim with the appropriate agency. In California, you can file a claim with the California Civil Rights Department or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). A lawyer can help you with these steps if needed.
Reach Out to a Covina Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer
Speaking with an attorney as early as possible can help preserve evidence, protect deadlines, and determine the best course of action. Under FEHA, employees generally have three years from the discriminatory act to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department.
Why Choose Us as Your Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer in Covina
Choosing the right attorney is an important decision. At Omega Law Group, we focus on protecting employees who have been treated unfairly in the workplace.
Clients choose our firm because we offer:
- Free case evaluations
- No upfront costs or hourly fees
- Representation on a contingency fee basis
- Dedicated client service and communication
- Extensive experience handling employment-related claims
Our team proudly serves clients throughout Covina and neighboring communities.
We understand the local workforce and are dedicated to helping employees pursue justice when employers violate the law.
Contact a Pregnancy Discrimination Law Firm in Covina Today
If you believe you have experienced pregnancy discrimination in the workplace, Omega Law Group is ready to help.
Our team is dedicated to protecting the rights of employees throughout Covina and holding employers accountable for unlawful conduct.
Call us today for a free, confidential consultation or complete our online contact form to discuss your case. There are no upfront fees, and you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.