Welcoming a child into your family can be an exciting time. Unfortunately, for many women, it can also cause stress in the workplace. You may worry about how your colleagues and bosses may react.
According to the Department of Labor, your boss, supervisors and managers cannot treat you differently due to your pregnancy.
Can you return to work after a pregnancy?
According to the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, your bosses cannot deny you employment or fire you because of pregnancy, childbirth or any other medical conditions related to your pregnancy. If you can still perform your job, the company must allow you to do so for as long as you can. Your supervisors cannot stereotype you and force you from the office.
Additionally, when you go on leave for your pregnancy or any other pregnancy-related condition, the company has to keep your job open for the same period they would for any other person on sick leave or disability. Your boss cannot prohibit you from returning to work following your pregnancy leave.
Can you nurse while working?
In addition to being allowed back at work, you should never face any cruel or degrading comments based on your pregnancy. Additionally, you should have ample opportunities to take a break to express breast milk if necessary. For one year, you need to be allowed to express milk.
Your company must allow you a private place other than the bathroom to do so. The room should have a shield from view and be free from intrusion from the public or other colleagues.
No matter the situation, employers cannot treat mothers differently because they are mothers.
