Pregnancy at Work

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Los Angeles Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyers

pregnancy discrimination lawyer los angeles

Leading Advocates for Pregnant Workers Across California

Our experienced Los Angeles pregnancy discrimination attorneys are committed to helping women and new parents stand up for their right to have children and earn a living wage.

We are one of the only firms in the state that specifically focus on pregnancy discrimination cases. We are leaders in this field and take on a wide range of cases, including cases with a relatively small dollar value, because we are activists. We want to change the playing field so new mothers and all family caregivers can fairly compete in our economy.

We will not stop until employers no longer fire pregnant workers because hiring a temp is too much of a “hassle.” We will not stop until employers no longer fire pregnant employees to avoid paying for their medical insurance during their leave. We will not stop until firing you or discriminating against you is not just a “cost of doing business.”

I don't have words to thank you the king and Siegel team worked so hard on my case during the pandemic and I am so grateful and proud of my outcome with them. They are reasonable and reliable. Those you can trust .. everytime I had a question they would answer it I recommend them 100 percent.. am so thankful for the team .. my worries and stress are over .. a huge weight over my shoulder was lifted and was able to help my family during this hard time thank you so much king and Siegel team..
Vanessa Ponce
Vanessa Ponce
March 8, 2022
I was really nervous about hiring a lawyer but Julian and everyone in her office made the process as stress-free as it could be. She is kind, reassuring and confident and that helps make the process feel less scary. she also knows what kinds of outcomes are reasonable and will explain in detail why, and has a plan to get there. I cannot recommend her more highly.
Ines Martinez
Ines Martinez
March 8, 2022
I had the pleasure of being represented by this wonderful office and their attorneys! They were very quick about answering any questions and most times explained things so well that my questions were answered before I got the chance to ask them. I had an amazing experience, everyone is kind and very attentive to your wants and needs. A case can be very stressful and they did a great job at keeping me sane and comfortable through the entire process. I recommend them 100%.
Adrianna Sells
Adrianna Sells
October 25, 2021
This in an incredibly professional and responsive firm. There was an ease about getting initial information, scheduling, and working with their talented team. While I found it to be true of everyone that I encountered here, it was Julian Burns King that really went above and beyond. Her expertise, experience, and knowledge of employment law and its many facets coupled with her empathy and compassion for her clients, is truly one of a kind. I would absolutely recommend King & Siegel to anyone in need of legal advice or representation.
Jeri Mares
Jeri Mares
October 12, 2021
Everyone at this firm was so helpful, supportive, and nice. The settlement I got changed my life and working with them was as good as a lawsuit could possibly be. I am so glad I found them for my wrongful termination suit.
Evelyn A
Evelyn A
September 25, 2021
I’m glad I trusted the team of King & Seigel to handle my case they are the definition of professionalism. They were honest and very upfront with the process and kept me informed every step of the way not to mention I’m more than happy with the results. Thank you again to the team of King and Seigel.
Ramon Rodriguez
Ramon Rodriguez
December 9, 2020
Julian & Elliot are very good lawyers and I am glad I trusted them with my case. When I hired attorneys, I didn't know what to look for, but I am glad I found them. They were always attentive to my case and I never felt lost even though I did not have any prior experience with litigation. Ultimately, they got a result I was happy with and I am so glad I had them to help me put this experience behind me. You would be lucky to have them in your corner.
Ryan J
Ryan J
August 5, 2020
I would like to thank this amazing duo and their staff for taking care of my friend and I. They were patient and polite, very prompt, and always professional! Thank you all so much! đź’ś
Yanni Boo
Yanni Boo
July 15, 2020

If you believe you are being discriminated against in the workplace because you are or were pregnant, King & Siegel LLP welcomes you to call our legal team today at (213) 465-4802 for a free review of your case.

What Does Illegal Pregnancy Discrimination Look Like?

Pregnancy discrimination takes many forms. In California, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee for any of these pregnancy-related reasons:

  • Wrongful Termination: It is illegal for your employer to fire you for having a child, being pregnant, or planning to become pregnant. Your employer also cannot terminate you because of “pregnancy-related medical conditions,” like being on bedrest, postpartum depression, or breastfeeding. With few exceptions, your employer cannot terminate you while you are on maternity or parental leave.
  • Hiring Discrimination: It is illegal to fire or not hire someone because they are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. In fact, employers are prohibited from asking female applicants whether they are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. However, many employers continue to ask job applicants about pregnancies and decline to hire pregnant women.
  • Discrimination in Job Duties: It is illegal for your employer to demote you or change your job assignment due to your pregnancy. Your employer must also let you work if you can perform your job and must allow you to return to work if you have been absent due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related health conditions (although they can require a medical certification to return to work).
  • Failure to Accommodate Work Restrictions: Your employer is required to make a good faith effort to accommodate your pregnancy-related disabilities or work restrictions. This includes transfer to a less strenuous position, providing you with a modified work schedule, and providing you with modified equipment, among other things.
  • Failure to Accommodate Disability or Baby-Bonding Leave: If you are pregnant or recently had a child, it is illegal for your employer to refuse to allow you to take leaves for medical appointments, for a pregnancy-related disability, or for bonding after your child’s birth.
  • Pay Discrimination: It is illegal for your employer to pay you less because you recently had a child, because you are pregnant, or because you plan to become pregnant.

If you experienced discrimination due to your pregnancy, or another type of employment law violation, contact us.

Common Examples of Pregnancy Discrimination

While pregnancy discrimination can take many forms, common instances of discrimination we help clients seek justice for include:

  • An employer fires a pregnant woman for “performance issues” shortly before her maternity leave so they can hire a full-time, permanent replacement.
  • An employer claims that a pregnant employee’s performance, “focus,” or “dedication” has slipped since they had a child or became pregnant and denies them promotions or bonuses.
  • An employer “eliminates” a pregnant employee’s position while they are on leave and hires a new employee for a similar role who isn’t pregnant.
  • An employer demotes a pregnant worker so she will no longer be covered by the employer’s health plan during her maternity leave.
  • An employer fires a pregnant worker so it does not have to pay for her child’s premiums on the employer’s health plan.
  • An employer refuses to repurpose an empty office for a lactation room and instead forces a new parent to pump in the bathroom.
  • An employer counts absences for pregnancy-related medical appointments against the employee under a “no-fault” attendance policy.
  • An employer allows its supervisors to mock a pregnant woman for being sick, being tired, or needing accommodations.
  • An employer fails to order cheap and readily-available equipment to protect a pregnant worker.
  • An employer refuses to allow a pregnant worker to sit down or take additional breaks
  • Many employers openly question whether female employees who recently gave birth continue to be sufficiently “devoted” to the business.

How to Complain About Denied Accommodations

First, you can make clear that your need for accommodation is urgent. Depending on the severity of your employer’s failure to accommodate, you can make clear that you will not work until legally compliant accommodations are granted.

Unfortunately, while you have legal rights, not much can be done to force your employer to comply with the law if they are intent on ignoring it. You may find yourself in a situation where you must choose between breastfeeding and working.

You should know that if you resign, you may still be able to pursue a wrongful termination case based on your employer’ failure to accommodate you. This is called a “constructive discharge.”

What if My Employer Broke the Rules?

If you believe you have experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on your pregnancy, or if you have been denied your right to leave, you can contact a Los Angeles pregnancy discrimination attorney.

You should choose an attorney with a specific focus on pregnancy discrimination. They will be familiar with the complicated leave laws at play, the common medical issues that arise, and the damage that pregnancy discrimination does to the families suffering from it.

Our office provides free case reviews for all potential pregnancy discrimination clients. This is a specialty area of practice and one that we are deeply passionate about.

Our experienced legal team also handles other types of discrimination cases, including:

Choosing the Right Attorney Can Make All the Difference

We Get Results

We go toe-to-toe with employers to get you the compensation you deserve.

Free, No-Strings-Attached Consultations

All consultations are 100% free. Not sure you have a case? That's fine. We're happy to learn more about your situation and point you in the right direction.

Clients Always Come First

We understand that our clients trust us with their most personal and critical legal issues. We do not take this responsibility lightly. You are not just a number to us.

We Are Passionate About What We Do

We started King & Siegel because we believe that the same aggressive, skilled, and passionate litigation tactics we learned at big firms could and should be available to workers and consumers in their most critical legal moments—when you are harassed, assaulted, demoted, fired, defrauded, or exploited by the institutions you rely on.

Our Firm is Dedicated to Excellence

We graduated from top-five law schools, including Harvard and NYU, and trained at the country's biggest and best litigation firms. As contingency attorneys, you don't pay us unless you win, which means our incentives are 100% aligned. We win if you win. It's that simple.