YOUR RIGHTS IN the WORKPLACE

It’s true; you can find empowerment as a working parent navigating a successful career and a family. While some parents will find exceptional support from their employees, it’s important to know your rights in the instance that discrimination occurs. Individual company policies may vary, but they must abide by federal and state laws. The National Conference of State Legislatures has created a list of State Family Medical Leave Laws as some states have created further protections for parenting individuals.

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The Family and Medical Leave Act allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth, placement, and care of a newborn or adopted child and requires that their health benefits be maintained during the leave. Any time taken off due to pregnancy complications can be counted against the 12 weeks of the leave. This act was created to help employees balance employment and family responsibilities, seeking to promote equal employment opportunities for both men and women. Eligibility includes an employee who has worked for at least 1,250 hours over the course of 12 months in a company that employs 50 or more employees.
The Family and Medical Leave Act

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination by employers based on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin. Title VII mandates that employers must treat people equally when hiring, while employed, and through the exit process. This means that a woman cannot be discriminated against simply because of her gender.

TITLE vII of the CIVIL RIGHTS ACT

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 prohibits sex discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. You cannot be fired, laid off, or have your hours cut simply because you are pregnant. Companies are also prohibited from discriminating against hiring an individual based on pregnancy.

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act