Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer

If you are facing unfair treatment at work due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, you are not alone. Discrimination based on pregnancy is illegal under federal and Texas laws, yet it continues to occur in workplaces. Whether you were denied a promotion, terminated, or refused accommodations, you have legal protections.

If you believe your employer has subjected you to pregnancy discrimination, consulting an experienced pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Texas can help you understand your rights and take the appropriate legal action.

What Laws Protect Pregnant Workers in Texas?

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and Texas Labor Code
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) is an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions. Under the PDA, employers must treat pregnant employees the same way they treat non-pregnant employees with similar limitations or conditions.

Similarly, the Texas Labor Code protects employees from pregnancy-based discrimination and ensures they are treated fairly in the workplace.

If you believe your employer violated these laws, you should consult a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Texas to evaluate your case.

What Employers Cannot Do to Pregnant Workers

Employers in Texas are prohibited from taking discriminatory actions against employees due to pregnancy. Examples of illegal actions include:
- Refusing to hire a qualified candidate because she is pregnant.
- Terminating an employee shortly after learning she is pregnant.
- Denying promotions or benefits (e.g., health insurance) to pregnant employees.
- Forcing a pregnant employee to take leave before it is medically necessary.
- Failing to provide similar leave that has been offered to other employees with non-pregnancy-related conditions.
- Refusing to reinstate a worker after pregnancy leave.
- Denying accommodations such as light-duty work for pregnant employees.
- Implementing arbitrary rules about when a pregnant worker must leave the workplace.
If your employer has engaged in any of these prohibited practices, a Texas pregnancy discrimination lawyer can help you take action to recover damages and hold them accountable.
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Am I Entitled to Paid Leave as a Pregnant Employee?

In Texas, there is no legal requirement for employers to provide paid medical leave. However, employers who have policies offering paid sick leave or leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) [link to article?] must apply those policies equally.

For example:

If an employer offers paid medical leave for employees with a disabling condition, it must provide the same leave to pregnant employees.
Denying paid leave to pregnant employees while offering it to others could constitute pregnancy discrimination.

If you suspect your employer has treated you unfairly regarding leave policies, contact a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Texas to discuss your options..

Examples of Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace

Pregnancy discrimination can sometimes be overt but often occurs subtly or through circumstantial evidence. Some common examples include:
- Termination: Being fired soon after informing your employer about your pregnancy.
- Failure to Accommodate: Denying reasonable accommodations, such as light-duty work, that would allow you to continue performing your job.
- Lack of Facilities: Refusing to provide a private space for breastfeeding or expressing milk.
- Workplace Harassment: Subjecting you to negative treatment or comments due to your pregnancy status.
Even if your employer does not explicitly state discriminatory intent, actions that negatively impact you due to pregnancy may still violate the law. A Texas pregnancy discrimination lawyer can help identify and prove these violations.
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What if my employer did not know I was pregnant?

In pregnancy discrimination cases, the employer must have knowledge—direct or indirect—that the employee is pregnant. However, courts have held that an employer does not necessarily need to be explicitly informed about the pregnancy. For instance:

If your pregnancy is visibly noticeable (i.e., “showing”), this could be enough to establish awareness.
If you are wrongly perceived as pregnant based on assumptions about your appearance, you may still have a claim for “perceived pregnancy discrimination.”

If your employer discriminated against you, even without direct confirmation of your pregnancy, you should contact a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Texas to assess your case.

Why It’s Critical to Act Quickly in Pregnancy Discrimination Claims

Pregnancy discrimination claims have strict time limits. Under federal law, employees generally have 180 to 300 days to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Federal employees may face even shorter timeframes.

Failing to file your claim within these deadlines may prevent you from pursuing compensation or holding your employer accountable. To protect your rights, contact a Texas pregnancy discrimination lawyer as soon as possible.

Contact me if you think your employer subjected you to pregnancy discrimination

If you believe you’ve been subjected to pregnancy discrimination, you don’t have to face this challenge alone. I am an experienced pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Texas, and I fight for employees’ rights in the workplace.

From negotiating settlements to filing lawsuits, I can help you:

Document evidence of pregnancy discrimination.
File complaints with the EEOC or Texas Workforce Commission.
Pursue compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages.

Don’t wait—contact me today to schedule a paid consultation and discuss how I can help you seek justice.

FAQs About Pregnancy Discrimination

What is pregnancy discrimination?
Pregnancy discrimination involves treating an employee unfavorably due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

Can I be fired for being pregnant?
No, firing an employee for being pregnant is illegal under federal and Texas laws.

What protections does the Pregnancy Discrimination Act offer?
The PDA ensures that pregnant workers are treated the same as other employees with similar limitations.

Do pregnant employees qualify for paid leave?
Texas law does not require paid leave. However, employers must apply existing leave policies equally to pregnant employees.

What should I do if I suspect pregnancy discrimination?
Employees generally document any discriminatory actions and contact a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Texas to evaluate your case.

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Mr. Evan B. Lange is the attorney responsible for this website. | All meetings are by appointment only. | Principal place of business: Sugar Land, Texas.
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