Several recent reports have disclosed a reality about working life in the United States. The reports have revealed indisputable evidence that discrimination around having children is systemic and widespread, and inhibits the equality of working parents, especially working mothers.
Discrimination against working mothers can take the form of denied employment or promotions, harassment, lower pay than childless co-workers, or other negative employment actions that take place because of an employee’s family responsibilities. This type of discrimination is called The Maternal Wall. It means that many women are not treated equally to men or their childless counterparts, even though they may have a record of good job performance, impressive education credentials, or other qualifications.
Discrimination can occur when a woman becomes pregnant, when she returns from maternity leave, when she has a second child, when she tries to use flex time to accommodate her family, and even when she is of child-bearing age. This type of discrimination falls under family responsibilities discrimination (FDR). It is described as a form of sex discrimination in which workers are treated unequally because of their caregiving responsibilities for children, elderly parents, or ill relatives.
If you have been discriminated against at work for any reason, please call the Philadelphia employment discrimination lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. at 215-569-1999, or contact us online. We are dedicated to protecting the employment rights of our clients. We are centrally located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and we proudly serve clients from the surrounding areas.
