Plantation Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer

Plantation Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney

Pregnancy can be a stressful time for any person, but the threat of discrimination from your employer shouldn’t add to your burdens. Many women never consider that they could be treated differently at work after they become pregnant, but it is a reality. If you have faced discrimination in your workplace after announcing a pregnancy or asking for pregnancy accommodations, you need a Plantation pregnancy discrimination lawyer.

Hire a Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer

Pregnancy should be a happy time in your life as you prepare for a future with your child. When workplace discrimination threatens that happiness, you need to hire a pregnancy discrimination lawyer to safeguard your rights.

At The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A., we can answer your questions and help you determine if you have experienced pregnancy discrimination. We are ready to be your Plantation discrimination lawyer and help you seek fair compensation. Michelle Cohen Levy has been selected as a Florida Rising Star by SuperLawyers for several years in a row, an indication of her reputation for success.*

Employment and Families in the United States

During 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 80.1% of the 84.3 million families in the United States had at least one working adult in the household. The number of families that contained at least one adult actively looking for work reached 4.5 million. When one adult was actively looking for work, 72% of households still had one working adult, and 63.1% had one full-time working adult.

The number of households that contained children under the age of 18 equaled 32.7 million in 2024. Of these households, at least one parent was employed in 91.4% of households. For married couples with minor children, 97.5% of households had one employed parent, while 66.5% of households had two employed parents.

If you experience pregnancy discrimination by your employer in Plantation, Florida, you can file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Afterward, if you are allowed to file a civil court claim, that claim can be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida for federal claims or the Broward County Circuit Court for state claims.

Pregnancy-Related Employment Rights in Florida

Pregnant workers are afforded many protections under both state and federal laws. These protections include:

• Civil Rights Act (CRA). Pregnancy discrimination is considered a form of sex discrimination under the federal CRA. Employers are required to treat a pregnant employee who is temporarily unable to perform their regular job functions in the same way they would treat an employee with a short-term disability.
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Under FMLA, pregnancy is a covered medical condition that provides workers with 12 weeks of unpaid leave. Specific requirements have to be met before FMLA is available, but it means you can return to your job and keep any employer-provided health insurance during your leave. Many companies allow you to use accrued sick or personal leave, so you are paid while on FMLA leave.
• Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA). The FCRA is a state-level protection that prohibits discrimination under several categories, including specific protections during pregnancy. Discrimination in employment, housing, or the use of public spaces is prohibited, and protections are available in case of harassment or retaliation.
• Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). Any employer with 15 or more employees has to provide accommodations that do not pose an undue hardship to accommodate pregnancy, childbirth, and any related conditions. Recent examples show how courts and employers are applying this law.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). You still have protections after giving birth that allow you to more easily care for your newborn. The FLSA requires employers to provide break time and a private space for nursing employees to express breast milk. The bathroom does not meet the requirements of a private space. newer federal law changed how pregnant workers are protected

FAQs

What Is the Average Settlement Amount for a Pregnancy Discrimination Claim?

There is no average settlement amount for a pregnancy discrimination claim because settlement amounts vary with the specifics of each discrimination case. Cases with strong evidence often result in higher settlements than claims with weaker or more circumstantial evidence. Many cases result in reimbursement for lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages. Most cases are settled outside of court through negotiations.

How Long Does a Pregnancy Discrimination Claim Take?

The total time a pregnancy discrimination claim can take to settle depends on several factors of the case. Once the complaint has been filed, it can take months or more for initial mediation to begin. Cases that are settled through mediation take less time than those that ultimately end up in the civil court system.

How Do You Get a Favorable Outcome in a Pregnancy Discrimination Claim?

To receive a favorable outcome in a pregnancy discrimination claim, you need strong documentation of the discrimination you faced. Evidence could include circumstantial evidence that shows you were fired or treated unfairly only after your pregnancy was known.

You can also produce evidence that other employees received better treatment under similar conditions. Demonstrating that your employer provided false pretenses for their actions can also work in your favor.

Is It Difficult to Prove Pregnancy Discrimination?

It can be difficult to prove pregnancy discrimination without thorough documentation. Employers do not often readily admit to discrimination, so you have to collect as much circumstantial evidence as possible to show that you faced discriminatory behaviors. Demonstrating patterns of unfair treatment is a common form of evidence, as direct evidence is rarer.

Which Accommodations Are Never Considered an Undue Hardship to Provide?

Undue hardships are considered on a case-by-case basis for each employer, but some accommodations are rarely seen as undue hardship. Low-cost accommodations are rarely seen as undue hardship, such as reserved parking or policy modifications. Other common accommodations include accessibility improvements, modifying equipment to be more user accessible, and restructuring job tasks either permanently or temporarily.

Contact The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A.

It can be overwhelming to face workplace discrimination while you are also adjusting to the changes that come with pregnancy. You may think you can endure the discrimination until after the pregnancy. However, you deserve a fair and rewarding work environment free from harassment or retaliation. Contact The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A., today to schedule your initial consultation.

*Awards and recognition are not guarantees of future results. Selection criteria vary by organization.