Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer Pasadena

Pregnancy should be a time of joy and anticipation, but for many working women, it brings an unexpected challenge: workplace discrimination.
If you are a working professional in Pasadena, navigating the challenges of workplace pregnancy discrimination can be a discouraging task. In such situations, knowing that you have legal protections is crucial.
If you’re facing unfair treatment at work because you are pregnant, a Pasadena pregnancy discrimination lawyer can explain your rights and the steps you can take to protect yourself.
But, finding a pregnancy discrimination attorney in Pasadena you can trust is easier said than done. Fortunately, your search ends at Starpoint LC. Our skilled advocates provide valuable guidance and representation.
Drawing on our expertise and commitment to safeguarding pregnant employees’s rights, we can help you navigate the legal process, seek justice, and end unfair practices in your workplace.
Pregnancy should be a period of celebration, not stress from workplace discrimination. Don’t let pregnancy discrimination undermine your career or well-being—let a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Pasadena assist you in taking action.
What Is Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace?
Pregnancy discrimination occurs when an employer mistreats an employee because of pregnancy or related medical conditions. This mistreatment can manifest in various forms, including:
- Denial of time off or reasonable accommodations;
- Unwarranted disciplinary actions;
- Reduced hours or pay without justification;
- Harassment or insensitive comments about pregnancy; and
- Termination or demotion due to pregnancy.
This type of discrimination is unethical and illegal under various state and federal laws.
How Do I Identify Workplace Pregnancy Discrimination?
Recognizing discrimination can be challenging, as it is not always obvious. It can be subtle, like being passed over for a promotion, or blatant, like termination. That’s why one of the best things to do is get in touch with a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Pasadena to figure out if you have a case.
Consider your workplace environment and attitude when assessing whether discrimination is at play. Has there been any change in how your colleagues or supervisors treat you since they found out about your pregnancy? Are you experiencing feelings of isolation, scrutiny, or being undervalued compared to how you felt before your pregnancy? Do you feel like your employer is denying you accommodations that others receive just because you are pregnant? These types of changes could be symptomatic of a discriminatory workplace mindset.
Identifying discrimination requires affected employees to discern between legitimate business decisions and actions motivated by prejudicial attitudes toward pregnancy. Here are examples, from subtle signs to more overt behavior.
Subtle Signs of Discrimination
Often, the signs of discrimination are not direct or explicit. The following are examples of more subtle indicators:
- A shift in responsibilities—you might find that your employer is slowly stripping away your responsibilities or significantly altering them without an apparent, justified reason, especially after disclosing your pregnancy;
- Being excluded from meetings or projects—being left out of crucial meetings or projects that you would typically be involved in can be a sign of discrimination, especially if the exclusion started after announcing your pregnancy;
- A lack of support—a sudden lack of support from supervisors or colleagues, which can manifest as a failure to respond to your requests for assistance or resources, can be a sign of a discriminatory attitude;
- Negative performance reviews—if you receive a negative performance review that is inconsistent with your previous evaluations and there has not been a significant change in your performance, it could be related to your pregnancy; and
- Being denied opportunities—being passed over for training, promotions, or any chance of advancement, especially when you have a track record of being qualified for such opportunities, could be a sign of pregnancy discrimination.
Since all these actions could result from something other than your pregnancy, knowing the difference requires carefully observing workplace patterns and behaviors.
An experienced California pregnancy discrimination lawyer at Starpoint Law has experience discerning workplace discrimination from legitimate behaviors. They can evaluate your situation and help you determine if your employer’s action amounts to discrimination.
Blatant Forms of Discrimination
Some forms of discrimination are unmistakably clear and directly related to one’s pregnancy. Examples include:
- Termination—if your employer fires you without a legitimate business reason or a history of performance issues shortly after you disclose your pregnancy, it can be a blatant form of discrimination;
- Harassment—harassment can include inappropriate comments about your body, pregnancy, or future motherhood status and can create a hostile work environment, which is a clear violation of your civil rights;
- Being refused maternity leave—if you are eligible for maternity leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or state laws and your employer denies leave or discourages you from taking it, this is a direct violation of your rights;
- Denying adjustments —if your employer approves accommodations for health reasons or disabilities for other employees who need temporary adjustments but is inflexible with your pregnancy-related needs or if they deny simple adjustments or modifications, it can be a form of discrimination; and
- Retaliation for requests—if you face negative consequences, such as being demoted or receiving a pay cut after requesting accommodations, this could be considered retaliatory discrimination.
If you experience any of these signs of discrimination, it is crucial to carefully document each occurrence, including dates, times, witnesses, and details. This documentation can be essential if you decide to take legal action.
What Are My Legal Protections?
As a Pasadena employee, several laws protect you from pregnancy discrimination, including:
- Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)—the PDA prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions and applies to employers with 15 or more employees;
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)—for eligible employees, the FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth and care of your newborn child;
- California Family Rights Act (CFRA)—like the federal FMLA, the CFRA allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical reasons within 12 months while maintaining their group health insurance; and
- Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)—in California, the FEHA offers even broader protections than federal laws, including requirements for employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees.
This combination of state and federal laws prohibits pregnancy discrimination and sets the standard for acceptable and unacceptable workplace behaviors.
By familiarizing yourself with these laws and standing up for your rights, you contribute to a broader movement toward a more inclusive and fair workplace. Should any of these rights be breached, it’s worth getting a free consultation with a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Pasadena to discuss the next steps.
Filing a Succesful Claim for Pregnancy Discrimination in Pasadena Workplaces
If you believe you’ve been treated unfairly just because you’re pregnant, it’s time to right those wrongs. A pregnancy discrimination attorney in Pasadena can help you navigate the next steps, which will likely include a due diligence and fact-checking process.
The first step is documenting everything as it’s happening - which means gathering a detailed record of incidents with dates, times, individuals involved, along with any written communication demonstrating discriminatory behavior. A pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Pasadena will use this information to build a compelling case on your behalf.
But once you’ve documented everything you need to report the issue internally by following your company’s discrimination complaint procedures, typically through HR or a supervisor.
This step not only creates a formal record of the issue but also gives your employer an opportunity to fix it without formal legal proceedings. If they do, great - problem solved. If not, then you have an even stronger case in court to claim damages.
From there it’s a matter of reporting the claim with the appropriate agency. This might be the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) within three years of the discriminatory act. Or, for federal claims, you’ll file under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 days, extendable to 300 days in some cases.
There are quite a few moving pieces along the way, which is why working with an experienced pregnancy discrimination attorney in Pasadena is your best bet. This eliminates all the stress from the process and sets you up for the most favorable outcome.
So, why not get in touch with our Pasadena pregnancy discrimination lawyer today?
How Can a Starpoint Law Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer in Pasadena Help?
At Starpoint Law, we have never lost a case. Why? Because as experts in the legal field, our reputation is everything. Moreover, our clients are more than just case numbers; they are people with real stories and concerns that drive us to fight fiercely for just settlements and outcomes.
As your pregnancy discrimination advocates, we’ll bring extensive experience in employment law to the table, providing services you can count on. These services include but are not limited to:
- Knowledgeable legal advice tailored to your unique circumstances;
- Outstanding representation throughout the legal process, from filing a complaint to representing you in court, if necessary;
- Expert negotiation skills that allow us to work with your employer to reach a just settlement;
- Compassionate support and reassurance throughout the process ensuring you never feel alone in your fight for justice.
We aren’t just the most trusted pregnancy discrimination attorney in Pasadena, either. We serve the entire area with the same commitment. So no matter where your workplace is, you can count on us to help you seek justice:
- Pregnancy discrimination lawyer Glendale
- Pregnancy discrimination lawyer Los Angeles
- Pregnancy discrimination lawyer Santa Clarita
- Pregnancy discrimination lawyer San Fernando Valley
- Pregnancy discrimination lawyer Santa Monica
- Pregnancy discrimination lawyer Sherman Oaks
- Pregnancy discrimination lawyer Long Beach
- Pregnancy discrimination lawyer Beverly Hills
- Pregnancy discrimination lawyer Hollywood
- Pregnancy discrimination lawyer Westwood Village
Our Pasadena employment lawyer is capable of fighting many other types of cases of discrimination or wrongdoing in the workplace as well, whether you need a wage and hour lawyer in Pasadena or a disability discrimination lawyer in Pasadena.
But if you need a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Pasadena, the only thing left to do is get in touch today for a risk-free one-on-one consultation. Contact our pregnancy discrimination attorney in Pasadena today to discuss your case, and let us explain your rights.