Working pregnant women face rampant discrimination

[Starry Messenger]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-rt-us-usa-workplace-pregnancytre81e2g0-20120215,0,7722812.story

Decades after the passage of the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act, discrimination ranges from the shop floor to the executive suite, with sexual stereotyping a major factor. It is found in every state, but is more likely to hit women in low-income jobs, they said.

"This many years after the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, we still have employers who still don't understand the basics. Are we getting the word out on fundamental issues?" said Commissioner Constance Barker.

The issue of workplace discrimination was highlighted two weeks ago when a federal judge in Texas ruled against a Houston mother who said she was fired after asking for a place to pump breast milk.

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The Pregnancy Discrimination Act forbids discrimination by employers based on pregnancy, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments and promotions. Under the law, pregnancy is considered a temporarily disabling condition.

[tammywammy]

1. I find the judge's decision reprehensible

Frankly, it makes me appreciate that where I work there's special lactation rooms for mothers.

I remember I had a class with a woman that worked for WIC. She told us how Walmart discouraged and made it impossible for breast feeding mothers to continue to do so. 15 min breaks, had to keep your pump in the back of the building (the other end from the bathrooms), etc.

My mom told me how back in the 70s she was looking for a job. She had just become pregnant, so wasn't showing and had to lie so she'd be hired. She told everyone my brother (full term) came early.

[snooper2]

2. I'm suprised that there were that many cases..My work (In Texas) does everything for pregnant women

The pump room I call it is 20 yards away from me, one of the small conference rooms and they put knob you can lock. The room next to it though is were some Muslims pray though so I guess that would get kind of weird LOL

The women who need the room figure out their own schedules. Although I think there's only on lady with child currently in this building out of about 170-180 peeps though.


I imagine things have improved greatly over the last 40 years but looks like more work to do. I wonder if the problems arise more with jobs like say QuickTrip Manager, where that persons boss may think (Oh, Lindsay can't move boxes around any more so time to get rid of her)

[tammywammy]

3. I work for a 'conservative' company

We have lactation stations (what I like to call them). I haven't seen here a push to get rid of post-pregnancy women.

At my previous job we had a woman go out on FMLA due to having a baby - no paid maternity leave there. When the woman was coming back my evil boss was trying to figure a way to fire the post-pregnancy woman. I talked with the woman privately and told her of my (female) boss continued down this path, I would be more than happy to be a witness in the lawsuit. I also tried to point out to my boss that what she was doing was flat out illegal, but she didn't care. Evil evil woman my former boss was/is.

[Starry Messenger]

8. I didn't think Walmart could sink any lower in my eyes.

That's totally inhuman.

[ZombieHorde]

4. I suspect people who support firing women for being pregnant also support

birth control not being covered by insurance. Just a hunch.

Either way, they're assholes.

[tammywammy]

5. Indeed, good post. n/t

[Starry Messenger]

7. Bingo.

[William769]

6. What a bunch of crap!

That judge need to be taken to the woodshed.