It is illegal for employers to discriminate against you because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
If you were demoted, denied accommodations, or let go, you may have legal options.
Pregnancy discrimination remains one of the most common workplace violations in New York. Employers fire pregnant workers, deny them accommodations, exclude them from opportunities, and retaliate when they speak up. It’s illegal, it’s wrong, and you don’t have to accept it.
At Megan Thomas Law, PLLC in Syracuse, we represent pregnant workers across New York who’ve been treated unfairly because of their pregnancy. We know what it’s like to face discrimination in the workplace, and we understand the fear, frustration, and anger that comes with it.
If your employer has violated your rights because you’re pregnant, we’re here to help you fight back.
Federal and New York laws make pregnancy discrimination illegal. These protections cover all aspects of employment, from hiring to firing and everything in between.
Pregnancy discrimination takes many forms. Some are obvious. Others are subtle but equally illegal.
If you were terminated shortly after announcing your pregnancy, or if your employer’s explanation doesn’t add up, you may have a wrongful termination claim.
New York law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions.
Accommodations may include:
If your employer accommodates other workers with temporary limitations but refuses to accommodate your pregnancy-related needs, that’s discrimination.
Passing you over for a promotion because you’re pregnant violates the law. So does excluding you from important projects, client meetings, or business travel opportunities because your employer assumes pregnancy will interfere.
Unwelcome conduct based on pregnancy can create an illegal hostile work environment.
This includes:
If you complain about pregnancy discrimination or request accommodations, your employer cannot retaliate against you.
Retaliation includes:
Proving pregnancy discrimination requires showing that your pregnancy was a motivating factor in your employer’s adverse action against you.
When adverse action happens shortly after announcing pregnancy, that timing creates strong evidence of discrimination.
Strong documentation builds a strong case:
Save emails. Take screenshots of text messages. Write down conversations while they’re fresh. Keep copies of everything at home, not just on work devices.
How does your employer treat other workers with temporary medical conditions? If they accommodate someone with a broken leg but refuse to let you sit during pregnancy, that comparison strengthens your case.
If you’re facing pregnancy discrimination, taking the right steps protects your rights and strengthens your case.
Start documenting immediately. Write down what happened, when it happened, and who was involved. Include dates, times, locations, and exact words when possible. Save all relevant communications.
If you need pregnancy-related accommodations, put your request in writing. Email is fine. Keep copies of your requests and your employer’s responses.
Many workers think they should file a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission right away.
But filing without legal guidance can hurt your case.
Once you file an administrative complaint, you start formal proceedings that affect your legal options. The things you say and how you present your case matter. Mistakes made early can be hard to fix later.
We recommend talking to an employment lawyer before filing any complaints. We can help you understand your options, gather the right evidence, and present your case in the strongest way possible.
While you have time to file a claim, don’t wait too long to talk to a lawyer. Evidence can disappear. Memories fade. Witnesses leave the company.
Filing deadlines:
If you win a pregnancy discrimination case, you may recover significant damages.
Since 2019, New York law has allowed punitive damages for particularly egregious discrimination. These damages punish the employer and deter future misconduct.
If you’ve been fired, demoted, denied accommodations, or treated unfairly because of your pregnancy, don’t wait. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to gather evidence and protect your rights.
You deserve to work in an environment that respects your pregnancy. You deserve an employer who follows the law. And you deserve a lawyer who will fight to make that happen.
Contact Megan Thomas Law today to discuss your pregnancy discrimination case. We’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and help you decide the best path forward.
Your pregnancy should be celebrated, not punished. Let us help you hold your employer accountable.
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