{"id":58841,"date":"2017-07-19T11:50:24","date_gmt":"2017-07-19T11:50:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/pregnancy\/problems-pregnant-women-face-at-workplace\/"},"modified":"2023-07-19T11:50:24","modified_gmt":"2023-07-19T11:50:24","slug":"problems-pregnant-women-face-at-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/pregnancy\/problems-pregnant-women-face-at-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Problems Pregnant Women Face at Workplace- How to Deal With it"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"ProblemsNurturing a small life inside your womb is a unique experience that is the basis and essence of motherhood. While pregnancy itself does not hinder your ability to pursue professional ambitions to the fullest, pregnant women are increasingly facing unjust treatment at the workplace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Problems like health and safety risks faced during pregnancy should not be taken lightly as they can have serious consequences not only for women but also their unborn children and consequently, their families.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does it affect you?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Pregnancy, in general, is an emotionally and physically challenging period for women. When you have a baby that is on the way, the last thing you need to be worried about is job security. Being under constant stress due to discriminatory behavior at work can be a serious health hazard for pregnant women.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, raising a child in a suitable environment requires financial stability, one that may be threatened by certain actions of employers. Women need flexible working hours during pregnancy to take better care of themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pregnancy discrimination is not a myth:<\/b><\/h3>\n

A report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission showed that 20 percent of women reported facing discriminatory behavior during their pregnancy from their employers and colleagues. Also, 10 percent of women said that they were discouraged from attending prenatal appointments.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the data available from EEOC, almost 31,000 charges were filed between 2011 to 2015 against pregnancy discrimination. The highest number of reported cases was found to be in the health care and social assistance industry. Approximately 28.5 percent of charges were filed by black women and 45.8 percent were filed by white women.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another survey carried out by Women’s Aid Organization showed that almost half of all surveyed women reported a lack of job security during their pregnancy and nearly 31 percent said that they consciously delayed their pregnancy due to the fear of losing their jobs.  <\/span><\/p>\n

What constitutes discrimination?<\/b><\/h3>\n

For most women, a professional career isn’t just a way of making ends meet, but rather it provides them with social, intellectual and personal satisfaction. However, many women continue to face problems in the workplace simply because they are pregnant. This type of discrimination can take many forms and puts women at a significant disadvantage when compared to their male counterparts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pregnancy discrimination is formally defined as unfair treatment of expectant mothers and occurs when they are fired, refused employment or discriminated against due to their pregnancy or their intention to become pregnant. Pregnancy discrimination can take many forms including:<\/span><\/p>\n