Gender (in)equality: pregnancy made me an undesirable employee

"Between 2010 and 2013, female workers filed 15,298 complaints with allegations of discrimination due to pregnancy with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission”

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) states that

“Discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions constitutes unlawful sex discrimination under Title VII. Women affected by pregnancy or related conditions must be treated in the same manner as other applicants or employees who are similar in their ability or inability to work.”

Despite this, nowadays pregnancy discrimination at work still represents a huge problem. Surprisingly - or maybe not so much - too many employers are still rejecting to observe pregnant workers’ requests for temporary accommodations based on medical needs.

According to Emily Martin, vice president and general counsel of the National Women’s Law Center, “still too many people think that pregnancy and motherhood are incompatible with work.” If you look at the statics on pregnancy discrimination in the workplace reported by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the results do nothing more than confirm that this is an ongoing issue.

“Imagine being pregnant and unable to take a needed bathroom break while at work. Imagine being pregnant and unable to receive a work accommodation from the employer despite a doctor’s order restricting lifting over ten pounds. Imagine being eight months pregnant and required to stand at work all day as a cashier rather than sitting on a stool while checking out customers. These types of situations are unique only to women because of their ability to be both pregnant and an employee. There are times when some pregnant employees find themselves needing temporary workplace accommodations due to the medical needs associated with the pregnancy. Many employers do not make these accommodations. Women have long struggled for social and workplace equality. Federal laws have attempted to reduce and remedy these struggles, but have not eliminated the social, legal, economic, and workplace battles for women wishing to become pregnant, are pregnant, or have recently been pregnant. Between 2010 and 2013, female workers filed 15,298 complaints with allegations of discrimination due to pregnancy with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission”

It Doesn't Work At Work: Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace, by Tanya M. Marcum and Sandra J. Perry

I think that discrimination against pregnant women it is not just wrong, is irrational. Pregnancy and maternity come with significant health impacts for many women and it is unreasonable that a woman cannot meet motherhood with employment, at the same time.

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act attempt to eradicate this issue, trying to build an environment of respect and equality for all employees’ needs. But is that enough?

An inclusiveness workplace should involve and connect the diverse forces within the work environment, providing the input for each individual to achieve his or her full potential. This, in turn, helps the individuals not only feel respected for their differences, but also feel their differences add value to the success of the organization. On the other hand, when discrimination occurs it will impact negatively the internal workforce productivity as well as the perception among customers.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission identified six major practices to managing pregnancy and maternity in the workplace, which represent useful recommendatio to ensuring that good communication happens during pregnancy, maternity and on an employee’s return to work.