It is completely reasonable for a pregnant woman who is qualified for a job to expect that she could secure employment and not be fired. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act was put into place to ensure pregnant women are treated fairly in the workplace. In fact, the law clearly prohibits employers from not offering a position to a pregnant woman because she is pregnant, or until after her child is born.
The law further states that a woman cannot be discriminated against based on her pregnancy status, which in addition to pregnancy discrimination, is also a form of sex discrimination. Pregnancy is considered a temporary disability under the law which falls in a classification under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA.) Sadly, even in today’s world, incidents of pregnancy discrimination in the workplace still occur, but women are not taking it lightly and continue to fight for their rights.
Pennsylvania Case of Pregnancy Discrimination
Heather Romig of Orefield, Pennsylvania lodged a complaint with the Human Relations Commission (HRC) when the company she had worked for fired her. JSM Services in Allentown owns the Auntie Anne’s in the Trexlertown, Pennsylvania Walmart store where Romig worked. She was employed from Aug. 20, 2010 to Sept. 11, 2010 when her employer found out she was three months pregnant and terminated her employment.
The Commission found sufficient evidence of Romig’s claim and ordered Auntie Anne’s to compensate the ex-employee. Two other Pennsylvania employers also were fined for their discriminatory treatment of pregnant workers. A Montgomery County financial services company, JayMala Inc., was ordered to pay a former employee from Bensalem, Bucks County $30,938. Another pregnant employee from Reading, Berks County, a former driver at Lem Moore Transportation, a trucking company in Douglassville, Berks County was awarded $10,466 in compensation.
Executive Director of the HRC expressed that not only is pregnancy discrimination an old way of thinking, but it does nothing to help Pennsylvania families or local economies. She further asserts that woman have the right to be protected from workplace discrimination due to pregnancy, sex, or temporary disability. The pretzel maker, Auntie Anne’s declined to comment after the Commission’s ruling. The ruling and final amount determined as ordered by the Commission for just compensation was a direct result of both parties not willing to agree on a settlement.
Philadelphia Discrimination Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates Advocate for Employees who suffer Workplace Discrimination
If you or someone you know has been the victim of pregnancy discrimination, sex discrimination, or temporary disability discrimination in Pennsylvania, you need a Philadelphia discrimination lawyer. Philadelphia employment lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates have over 30 years of experience advocating for the fair treatment of workers. Call our discrimination lawyers in Philadelphia at 215-569-1999 or use our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation today.
