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Pregnant So Nobody Will Hire Me, Right?
There is little doubt that being pregnant is one of the most
exciting times in a woman’s life. Unfortunately, there are
situations where being pregnant can bring about unwanted and
unnecessary stressors, especially in the employment arena.
Many women are hesitant to look for employment while pregnant. The
thought is, “who will want to hire a pregnant woman?” While it can
be more difficult to find a job while pregnant, you should not allow
this to hinder your job search.
California law protects women who are searching for work during
pregnancy. Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, an
employer cannot base an employment related decision (such as
promotion, demotion, termination, or hiring) on a woman’s
sex, which includes pregnancy. Simply put, an employer cannot
refuse to hire a woman because she is pregnant.
Additionally, California law does not require women to disclose
their pregnancy during the interview process. In fact, if the
pregnancy is not yet visible, a woman may want to wait until after
she is hired to disclose her pregnancy. The reason is simple: the
unfortunate reality is that many employers are more hesitant to hire
a pregnant woman.
Whenever you decide to tell your employer about your pregnancy, it
is always advisable to inform your employer in writing. A written
statement may protect you and is a necessary safeguard against nasty
employers who claim, “we had no knowledge she was pregnant when we
decided not to hire her.” Make sure you keep a copy of the written
statement.
For more information on laws related to
pregnancy and employment, visit
www.pregnancylawyer.com or call Attorney
Sarah B. Schlehr directly at (310) 492-5757.
This Belly Scoop has been sponsored by Ms. Pregnancy Lawyer,
Sarah B. Schlehr! |
