Employment discrimination can happen to anyone, including pregnant women. Did you know that the EEOC received nearly 3,500 pregnancy discrimination charges in 2016 alone? In 2017, it was nearly 3,200.

In a recent class-action lawsuit filed by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the huge retail chain Walmart is being sued for alleged pregnancy discrimination. This is an important case in the fight for employee rights — the EEOC is tasked with administering the federal laws prohibiting pregnancy discrimination and is attempting to hold a large corporation responsible for alleged illegal behavior in the workplace.

The details of the case are as follows: pregnant female employees at a Walmart warehouse in Menomonie, Wisconsin, were denied the option to participate in the company’s light-duty program. The EEOC’s director in Chicago said that not allowing them this opportunity amounted to pregnancy discrimination.

Walmart has denied the allegations. A company spokesperson has said that “Walmart is a great place for women to work.”

An additional statement by the retail giant’s representatives stated that the company’s job accommodation policies have been revised and updated several times over recent years to comply with all federal laws that prohibit pregnancy discrimination.

Pregnant Workers’ Legal Rights

Just like many other types of employees, pregnant workers have legal rights too. Discrimination in the workplace is prohibited by the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Pregnancy discrimination is also covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

The protections include:

• getting reasonable job accommodations in the workplace
• protections against unlawful firing,
• denial of benefits,
• not getting hired or promoted due to pregnancy, and
• protections from harassment, among other areas

If something like this has happened to you, it is important to seek legal counsel.

What Employee Rights Lawyers Do to Fight Pregnancy Discrimination

Walmart and other business big and small should adopt unlawful policies or allow individuals to discriminate against workers. This is where employee rights lawyers step in. If a pregnant woman doesn’t receive reasonable job accommodations, gets fired because she was pregnant, or is subjected to other discriminatory practices — attorneys can work as your advocate in the justice system to hold them accountable.

In the class-action lawsuit against Walmart, the plaintiffs are seeking punitive damages, back pay, and “measures to correct Walmart’s practices going forward.” These are all remedies well within an employee’s rights to receive if the case goes in their favor.

To get the most favorable outcome in the case of pregnancy discrimination, it is important to work with an experienced employee rights law firm. Walmart and other companies have their lawyers and employees deserve effective, aggressive legal counsel too.

Wenzel Fenton Cabassa, P.A. has helped thousands of workers fight the illegal, discriminatory actions of employers. Pregnancy discrimination lawyers are there to fight for the rights of mothers across Florida.

Do you think you may have been subject to pregnancy discrimination? Wenzel Fenton Cabassa, P.A. offers free consultations to discuss your situation. You may have a case. We can help you understand the process of filing a discrimination case with the EEOC<?a>.

Contact us today to set up an appointment. You are not alone. We are dedicated to fighting against discrimination and the rights of Florida employees.

Other articles about pregnancy discrimination in the workplace:

Top 8 Examples of Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace

Employment Law, Pregnancy and Maternity Leave in Florida: What Are Your Rights?

Pregnancy Discrimination: What You Have to Prove

Top 10 FAQs about Pregnancy Discrimination

Please Note: At the time this article was written, the information contained within it was current based on the prevailing law at the time. Laws and precedents are subject to change, so this information may not be up to date. Always speak with a law firm regarding any legal situation to get the most current information available.