Share Your Story: Have you faced pregnancy discrimination in the workplace?

In 2004, I was working for a small IT firm based out of Seattle, Washington as an IT account executive when had my first pregnancy. Because I was based out of my home in CT and frequently traveled to my clients, I was rarely in the home office, thus I didn't immediately inform my employer of my pregnancy. But in preparation of maternity leave, at 7 months I sent an email notification to my boss and the company owner to notify him of my need for maternity leave in about a month or so. If you can believe it, the following day, I received a call notifying me of my immediate layoff. I was offered an additional severage package a few days later (I guess after someone thought about the legal ramifications) but only if I signed documents stating that I wouldn't sue and etc. I did not accept the severage, but I also did not sue. After some research into employment lawsuits, I deduced that I a mere individual, could not afford to take a company to court. Not only was I now unemployed, but I was also awaiting the arrival of my 1st child and thus made the decision to put my meager financial resources into preparation for my baby. Later I did file a complaint with the EEOC but their findings many months later were inconclusive and did not assign fault one way or the other. I was instructed by the EEOC that I could continue to file a lawsuit if that was my desire, but again, I was really not in the right mind as a new mother with a new baby nor was I in the right financial situation to fight the layoff in court.

It was a very stressful experience and I even delivered my child 3 weeks before her due date. It was truly a tough period for me... I am now of the mind that companies don't care about mothers or families. It was a tough lesson to learn but I make it a point as a professional woman not to discuss my kids or family obligations in my work environment so that I'm not penalized professionally.

I delivered my first child in 2004 3 months before his due date.  His prematurity had no known cause.  In the summer of 2007 I discovered I was pregnant.  It was considered a high risk pregnancy.  My OBGYN advised me to do what I could to reduce stress so, with the blessings of my OBGYN,  I asked 2 of my supervisors if I could postpone an evaluation until after the pregnancy and birth of the child.  The evaluation was going to be a big one  - the biggest.  Even preparing the materials for evaluation is time-consuming and stressful.   One of those supervisors convened a secret meeting to discuss my pregnancy with my colleagues (and, in the process, disclosed that I was pregnant without my permission).  They discussed whether I should be allowed to postpone my evaluation (in reality, those colleagues had no say in the matter.  My request was based on medical need and one that concerned Human Resources, not my colleagues).  They even discussed the possibility of me miscarrying and if I could sue them if I miscarried.  I don't think they thought I really needed to postpone my evaluation and I don't think they liked that I asked for my evaluation to be postponed.  In the end,  I was allowed to postpone the evaluation.  However, when I was evaluated a year later,  my colleagues voted against me and I lost my job.  I did file a grievance with the NY State Div. of Human Rights.  The case worker said my case was "complicated."   In the end, I was told that discrimination may have occured but I did not have the evidence to prove that my dismissal was related to the meeting they had about my pregnancy.  I still believe that my pregnancy and my decision to do whatever I could to avoid another premature birth (i.e. asking to have my evaluation delayed),  was integral to my eventual ousting.  

Hello,My teenage daughter (17 years old) a senior in High School on target to graduate.  An A student, captain of her track team & pole vaulted clearing 9 feet, Varsity cheer leader, told me she was pregnant in February. I have been with my firm for three years; my job reviews have always been exceed expectations’ get a new boss in January that has many challenges and for some reason have become (my challenges). I was accused of excessive absents, to many personal calls. In between all of this my other daughter is pregnant with her second child her husband gets a new job. And my life is crazy. I have earned 2 weeks’ vacation along with eight sick days and two personal. I have always given well in advance notification for time requested off and always tried to show courtesy in short notice. In which some short notice for request for time off has happened within the last two months. My daughter had some real serious health issues which required me to be there for her. I did not feel I needed to share my personal affairs with my boss, for fear of judgment as things were already strained. this is just unbelievable in this day in age! While I have not shared this with my boss, with the difficulties currently existing I feel this would just add to the problem. I did contract our human resources dep’t and was told pretty much, if I was not happy I could transfer...I 'm so tired of working so hard, I'm 53 years old and I have had just about enough of this.