Akron Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney
Akron is home to more than just LeBron James. The fifth largest City in Ohio and the seat of Summit County, Akron is also home to Goodyear Tire, Summa Health System, and a host of other manufacturing and healthcare employers. Having so many manufacturing and healthcare employers in Akron provides plenty of good job opportunities. However, as pregnancy discrimination attorneys who help Akron employees, it’s our experience that pregnancy discrimination can happen in any workplace.
Ohio and federal employment discrimination laws prohibit an employer from firing, demoting, suspending, harassing, or otherwise discriminating against an employee on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related medical conditions. Instead, employers must generally treat pregnant employees the same as other employees who are similar in their ability or inability to work.
Can I get a lifting restriction if I am pregnant?
One common fact pattern in pregnancy discrimination cases involves lifting restrictions, particularly for nurses, other healthcare workers, and manufacturing employees. Employers might believe that the employee cannot safely do the job with a lifting restriction, or might simply refuse to grant the restriction. Under the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, employers with 15 or more employees must grant lifting restrictions to a pregnant employee unless the employer can prove doing so would be an undue hardship.
Can I be forced on leave from work if I am pregnant?
Another common pregnancy discrimination issue arising in the hospital or manufacturing setting involves leaves of absence. When an employee requires a medical leave of absence due to pregnancy or childbirth, there are several federal laws that might entitle the employee to leave. One is the Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act. Another is the Family and Medical Leave Act. For high-risk pregnancies or pregnancies with medical complications, the disability discrimination laws might also require the employee be granted a leave of absence.
The Akron pregnancy discrimination lawyers at Bolek Besser Glesius LLC have represented many women unfairly treated at work because they got pregnant. If you have been discriminated against at work because of your pregnancy, call the pregnancy discrimination lawyers at Bolek Besser Glesius today for a free consultation. We are devoted to justice for you and your family.