While hiring across the nation saw an uptick in the first month of Donald Trump’s presidency, many are skeptical of whether it will continue. If you are a pregnant woman looking for work, the road to a new job may still be riddled with potholes. Not every employer wants to take a chance on a pregnant woman, and not every employer understands the rules governing pregnant workers. Because of this, it is important for pregnant workers to protect themselves against unscrupulous employers.
This post will provide some helpful tips.
Know your handbook – Chances are that your potential employer has a handbook that explains a pregnant employee’s rights and options. If there is no handbook, it is important to talk with your HR rep and your supervisor to discuss your needs and medical limitations.
Be aware of your employer’s size – Federal anti-pregnancy discrimination laws apply to employers who have at least 15 employees. This includes the Family Medical Leave Act, which may also apply to employers who have at least 50 employees working within a 75 mile radius. So before understanding what laws may apply to you, knowing the headcount is critical.
Keep everyone informed – There may be instances where you will need time off simply to deal with the unexpected aches, pains and nausea that comes with a pregnancy. In the event you exhaust time off, there may be ways to craft agreements to that prevent adverse actions from being taken against you. But this may not happen without open communication.
While the preceding is not legal advice, hopefully it can help you avoid situations that would require you to take legal action.