If you are expecting a baby, this is likely an exciting period in your life. And even though you may be eager for your new baby to arrive, you may have concerns about working while you are pregnant.
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, it is illegal for your employer to discriminate against you because you are pregnant. If you have any concerns that pregnancy discrimination has become a problem in your workplace, watch out for the following signs.
Jokes about keeping up with your job
Although pregnancy can take a physical toll on your body, you are likely still able to keep up with most of your job responsibilities. If your employer or supervisor constantly makes jokes about your ability to continue your employment duties, take these comments seriously and document them.
Resistance to requested accommodations
To complete your job duties while pregnant, your employer must agree to reasonable accommodations. If your employer consistently resists these accommodations, you may be the victim of pregnancy discrimination.
Reduction of your employment duties without warning
If your employer wants to reduce your responsibilities at work, he or she should notify you beforehand and explain the reasoning behind this decision. If your employer suddenly reduces your employment duties without warning, this could indicate pregnancy discrimination.
Although the signs of pregnancy discrimination in your workplace may be subtle at first, they can lead to more serious actions, such as terminating your position. If you believe your employer discriminated against you in some form because of your pregnancy, take action to protect your legal interests.
