Pregnancy Discrimination

For too many women, having a baby means losing your job or a promotion. Yes, even in 2012.

Every time a woman is fired, forced to take leave, denied a promotion or not hired because she is pregnant or because an employer fears she might become pregnant, she is experiencing discrimination – and it hurts her, her family and our economy. It’s also illegal.

The National Partnership played a critical role in passage of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, which amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect employees from discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth or pregnancy-related conditions. Unfortunately, pregnant workers still face discrimination in this country.

That’s why we continue to educate the public about the rising trends in pregnancy discrimination, the rights of women and men who experience discrimination, and the laws that should protect them. And that’s why we support the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act – a bill that would help prevent employers from forcing pregnant women out of the workplace.

Having a baby should not mean losing a job or much-needed financial stability. It’s time to make pregnancy discrimination a thing of the past.