Syracuse Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney
When you are pregnant, your time should be focused on planning for your new baby—not facing discrimination in the workplace. Unfortunately, some New York employers violate state and federal employment laws and make employment decisions based on pregnancy status, harming expecting employees.
If you believe you have experienced pregnancy discrimination at work, you have the right to pursue a claim against your employer. In these situations, the attorneys at Gattuso & Ciotoli can help. Our Syracuse pregnancy discrimination attorneys can represent your claim and help you obtain justice.
Why A Syracuse Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer From Us?
- Our Syracuse employment law attorneys hold over 50 years of combined legal experience and have developed connections with judges, attorneys, and other parties throughout New York.
- Our firm specializes in employment discrimination claims. We have the skills, knowledge, and resources you need to hold your employer accountable.
- We provide personalized, dedicated attention to each of our clients. We will always be available to answer questions and prepare you for the next stage of your case.
What Is Pregnancy Discrimination?
Pregnancy discrimination occurs when an employer makes an employment-related decision based on whether an employee is pregnant or plans on becoming pregnant in the future. Under federal and state employment laws, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against pregnant employees.
According to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, pregnancy discrimination is a form of unlawful sex discrimination. Employers with at least 15 employees cannot discriminate based on pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.
Additionally, under the New York State Human Rights Law, these protections to extend to employees of employers with at least four workers. This law considers pregnancy-related limitations as temporary disabilities, and employers must provide reasonable accommodations to these employees. An employer cannot compel an employee to take a leave of absence due to pregnancy.
The New York City Human Rights Law provides even more protections for pregnant employees. An employer cannot discriminate against a pregnant employee, and employers must provide reasonable accommodations for these workers, regardless of whether the employee is experiencing a limitation.
Examples of Pregnancy Discrimination
It can be difficult to identify whether an employer’s actions qualify as discrimination. Common examples of pregnancy discrimination include the following.
- An employer refuses to hire a potential employee because she is visibly pregnant.
- During an interview, an employer asks questions about whether an applicant is pregnant, has children, or planning to become pregnant.
- An employer cuts an employee’s pay after she becomes pregnant.
- An employer denies an employee a promotion in favor of a less qualified employee because she is pregnant or has children.
- An employer fires a group of employees who are either pregnant or have children.
Employees who have experienced pregnancy discrimination have the right to file a claim against their employers. They can file a complaint through the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the state-level New York State Division of Human Rights, or the New York City Commission on Human Rights.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
If your employer discriminated against you based on your pregnancy, the attorneys at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC can help. Our New York pregnancy discrimination lawyers can evaluate your case, identify whether you qualify for a claim, and represent you throughout the process. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and identify your optimal path to justice.