Debra Ness, President, National Partnership
It is shameful to think that, nearly 35 years since we banned pregnancy discrimination in this country, pregnant women are still being fired, forced out of their jobs and denied employment and promotion opportunities.
What’s worse is that claims of pregnancy discrimination are actually increasing; they’ve risen 35 percent in the past ten years. When more than three in five pregnant women in the United States (62 percent) are in the labor force and their incomes are critical to their families’ economic security, this simply cannot stand.
That is why we are so pleased that the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a bill with substantial and growing support in the House of Representatives (108 cosponsors so far), was introduced in the Senate today. It is a welcome and necessary step forward for women, families and the ongoing effort to curb pregnancy discrimination in this country.
The bill is aimed at addressing discrimination against pregnant women who are forced out of their jobs or denied minor job modifications – even though their employers routinely make similar modifications for male employees who have been injured or are temporarily impaired.
Quite simply, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would ensure that pregnant workers are treated equally. It would ensure the same protections for women with pregnancy-related limitations as the protections already in place for workers with similar limitations. It would prevent employers from forcing pregnant women out of the workplace. And it would help ensure that employers provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant women who want to continue working.
In a country that claims to value family and fairness, we must not allow workers to be unnecessarily and unfairly pushed out of their jobs due to pregnancy. We commend Senators Robert Casey (D – Penn.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D – N.H.) for championing this bill. Now, it’s time for all members of Congress to make it a priority.
It’s truly pathetic to think that such a Bill is even being presented before Congress, but it seems since the 80′s that America has been at first taking baby steps, and now a full blown stride backwards to 1776. And now since 2001 how many of OUR liberties have we been forced to give up in the name of Homeland Security. How many times have we been robbed at gun point? How many times have our retirements been looted? How many times have OUR tax dollars been given away without OUR consent? When will real justice prevail? When will the people say, “Enough is enough already, give us back OUR country?” When will Human Rights be realized?
I am currently being “terminated” when I go on my ‘leave’ due to not qualifying for FMLA. I was originally told that my job would be “fine” and “not to worry” and even encouraged to find my own maternity leave substitute. Little did I know that I was looking for my replacement. After finding out that my baby is special needs at 27 weeks pregnant, I had to request several times a meeting with HR to clarify what “fine” means in terms of my job and insurance security. It was at that time I was told that my job was not fine and that I was going to be terminated therfore loosing all of my beneifts. My baby will require surgery when born and I may require a c-section. Cobra is way too much to pay for and we are looking into other options. The stress alone from knowing our baby is sick is too much, now loosing my job, my families main income, insurance, it has been really difficult. The ironic thing is that my job is funded by an Obama focused campaign and federal grant supporting “Families and Fatherhood.” I am a family therapist. I just thought I would share my personal story of pregnancy discrimination.
I am an Employment Counselor and have counseled with several women that are unable to find jobs because they are pregnant. I myself have been turned down for jobs because they could see the obvious “baby bump,” although no one would ever acknowledge that was the reason. It is a very frustrating situation to see these women and to know that it is illegal, but to have little other than empathy to offer them as guidance. My question is, what will be done to ensure employers follow this act? What consequences, if any, will be imposed on employers that turn down a perfectly qualified candidate? What can be done to prove that the discrimination is happening?The problem pregnant women face in addressing this issue, is the employer simply denies that is their reason and claims they hired a “more qualified candidate.” What advise can I give these women?