{"id":2342,"date":"2023-01-25T17:35:24","date_gmt":"2023-01-25T17:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shegerianconniff.com\/?p=2342"},"modified":"2023-01-25T17:35:24","modified_gmt":"2023-01-25T17:35:24","slug":"youre-about-to-have-a-baby-what-are-your-rights-as-a-working-mom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shegerianconniff.com\/dev\/youre-about-to-have-a-baby-what-are-your-rights-as-a-working-mom\/","title":{"rendered":"You\u2019re About to Have a Baby. What Are Your Rights as a Working Mom?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Having a child is a stressful, wonderful, emotional time. When you are balancing your pregnancy with a job, it\u2019s often difficult to know exactly what your rights are. It\u2019s not like every employer hands you a list as soon as you announce your pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your goals are to return to work as soon as you\u2019ve had time to bond with your newborn. When this is the case, what are your rights?<\/span><\/p>\n

Pregnancy Discrimination Laws<\/span><\/h2>\n

Once you tell your employer you\u2019re pregnant, you have the right to request reasonable accommodations to meet your medical needs during pregnancy and after childbirth. If you can only stand for so many hours, your company should allow you to sit as often as is necessary. If you have morning sickness, you could ask to be moved to a desk nearer the one bathroom on your floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

You cannot be discriminated against. If you\u2019re well qualified for a promotion and you\u2019re denied that promotion because your boss feels you will not have enough time for the work duties after the baby is born, that\u2019s a discriminatory act. Your co-workers cannot harass you or make rude comments about your changing body.<\/span><\/p>\n

While you\u2019re not protected from general lay-offs, you are protected against lay-offs when your employer makes it clear that pregnant workers are the first to get cut. If this happens, you should talk to a pregnancy discrimination attorney.<\/span><\/p>\n

A pregnant grocery store worker requested a schedule change to accommodate her pregnancy. The store denied her request, leaving her no choice but to quit. The U.S. EEOC filed a pregnancy discrimination complaint against the store, and they had to pay a settlement of $30,000. In addition, the store must offer additional training regarding anti-discrimination in the workplace. Education is crucial and a leading reason why it\u2019s so important to report cases of discrimination.<\/span><\/p>\n

Disability Insurance vs. Paid Family Leave<\/span><\/h2>\n

You have a right to claim disability insurance and Paid Family Leave benefits. Timing is important.<\/span><\/p>\n

While you\u2019re staying home with your newborn, the loss of income can be alarming. Before you push yourself to return to work before you\u2019re ready, look into the two ways you can get paid in the last few weeks of your pregnancy and after your baby is born. It\u2019s possible to get up to four months of leave, depending on the number of hours you work each week and if your employer has five or more employees.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suppose your OB\/GYN informs you of a pregnancy-related disability, such as being bedridden after premature labor begins four weeks before your due date. You\u2019re unable to continue working. If you have a doctor certifying that you are unable to work because of your pregnancy, you can claim disability insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the common qualifying reasons for pregnancy disability leave include:<\/span><\/p>\n