| Pregnancy is hard enough as it is. Many | | | | treat you the same as any other temporarily |
| pregnant women need or choose to work during | | | | disabled employee by providing modified |
| their pregnancy. Unfortunately these women | | | | tasks, alternative assignments, disability |
| have the possible added stress of pregnancy | | | | leave, or leave without pay. |
| discrimination. | | | | |
| | | | Health Insurance |
| Pregnancy discrimination is less of a problem | | | | |
| in today's workplace as it has been in the | | | | Any health insurance provided by your |
| past, thanks in part to the Pregnancy | | | | employer must cover expenses for pregnancy |
| Discrimination Act. As any pregnant woman who | | | | related conditions on the same basis as costs |
| has looked for a job can tell you, pregnancy | | | | for other medical conditions. Health |
| discrimination did not simply disappear | | | | insurance for expenses from an abortion is |
| because it was made illegal. | | | | not required, except in cases where your life |
| | | | is endangered. |
| That it why it is very important for you to | | | | |
| know the rights and protections guaranteed to | | | | Your pregnancy related expenses should be |
| you by the Pregnancy Discrimination act. | | | | reimbursed exactly as those incurred for |
| Being informed is your best defense. | | | | other medical conditions. The amount paid by |
| | | | the insurance provider can only be limited to |
| Employment | | | | the same extent as costs for other |
| | | | conditions. No increased or additional |
| The pregnancy discrimination act is an | | | | deductible can be imposed because of your |
| amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights | | | | pregnancy. |
| Act of 1964. Basically, it protects you from | | | | |
| being treated any differently by an employer | | | | Benefits |
| than any other non-pregnant woman. | | | | |
| | | | Benefits related to pregnancy cannot be |
| First of all, an employer cannot refuse to | | | | limited to married employees. If your |
| hire you based on your pregnancy, as long as | | | | employer provides any benefits to workers on |
| you are able to perform the major functions | | | | leave, they must provide the same benefits |
| of the job to which you are applying. | | | | for those on leave for pregnancy related |
| | | | reasons. While you are pregnant, you must be |
| Once you are hired, or if you already have a | | | | treated the same as other employees for |
| job when you become pregnant, you are | | | | accrual of seniority, vacation calculation, |
| protected from pregnancy discrimination in | | | | pay increases, and temporary disability |
| many ways. Your employer must allow you to | | | | benefits. |
| work as long as you are able to perform your | | | | |
| job. Your employer is not allowed to require | | | | Pregnancy discrimination will not go away |
| you to take mandatory maternity leave, or to | | | | anytime soon. Hopefully though, armed with |
| prevent you from coming back to work as soon | | | | this information, you can defend yourself |
| as you'd like, after the baby's birth. | | | | from pregnancy discrimination and feel |
| | | | comfortable in your workplace throughout your |
| If you are temporarily unable to perform your | | | | pregnancy. |
| job due to pregnancy, your employer must | | | | |