Moore & Associates are employment lawyers who work with individuals who may have faced discrimination on the job, wage violations, or unpaid overtime violations. Pregnant workers are vulnerable members of the workforce because they may need additional accommodations, time off to make doctor’s appointments, or may even face discrimination on the job due to their pregnancy. New parents are also vulnerable workers. The stress of new parenthood can be immense—for both fathers and mothers. Fortunately, federal laws grant many new parents the ability to take unpaid leave to care for a newborn or newly adopted child. If you believe your worker’s rights may have been violated as a result of your pregnancy or because you have just recently become a parent, you may have rights under the law. Moore & Associates are discrimination attorneys in Houston, Texas who fight for the rights of pregnant workers and who fight for the rights of new parents.
Your Rights if You are Pregnant and Working in Houston, Texas
If you are pregnant and are working in Houston, Texas, you have certain protections against harassment and discrimination under federal law. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission notes the various protections that pregnant workers have under federal law. What are some of these protections?
- You cannot be fired, be passed for a job promotion, be asked to take leave, or be given less important assignments because you are pregnant.
- Your employer is not permitted to fire you or put you on leave because your employer determines work is dangerous to your pregnancy.
- If you or your doctor determine that you cannot perform your job safely due to your pregnancy, your employer may be required to make the accommodations it would make for another similarly temporarily disabled individual. This includes break and schedule accommodations, permission to sit or stand, permission to work from home, or ability to take on light duty while pregnant.
- You may qualify for unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
These are just some of the protections available if you are pregnant in Houston, Texas. Most workers are entitled to receive these protections. However, smaller companies with fewer than 15 workers may not be required to make these accommodations.
If you believe you have been fired, demoted, or lost your job because of your pregnancy, you may have certain rights under the law. Moore & Associates are employment discrimination lawyers in Houston, Texas who may be able to assist you if you have suffered discrimination due to your pregnancy. Our firm can review your situation, help you understand your rights, and take steps to protect your rights if you qualify for pregnancy-related workplace protections.
New Parents’ Rights in Houston, Texas
New parents may have several rights when it comes to employment and navigating parenthood. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, parents may be entitled to take up to 12 weeks’ time off (without pay) if they work for a covered employer. Furthermore, nursing mothers may be entitled to breaks to nurse. Women also have rights when it comes to equal pay and equal opportunity, whether or not they have children.
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, new parents (including fathers and adoptive parents) are entitled to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a new child. However, in order to qualify, you must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months and the employer must be a “covered employer” under the act. The U.S. Department of Labor specifies which companies are covered under the act. Is your company covered? Are you being denied unpaid leave to care for a new child? If you are not sure whether your rights are being violated, or if you are being told you’ll be fired or be replaced if you take leave, consider speaking to Moore & Associates, employment discrimination lawyers in Houston, Texas who may be able to assist you.
Nursing mothers in Texas are entitled to receive breaks to nurse. Under Texas law, employers must provide nursing mothers reasonable break time to “express milk” or to nurse for up to one year after giving birth. Employers must provide rooms where women can nurse or express milk, and these rooms must afford some degree of privacy. Restrooms don’t count. However, employers don’t have to pay for the time a woman takes to pump milk or nurse, so your employer can request that you clock out. Furthermore, if you work for a company with 50 or fewer employees, you may not qualify to get time to pump milk or breastfeed. If you are being denied the right to breastfeed or pump milk, your rights may or may not have been violated under the law. Moore & Associates are discrimination attorneys who can help you understand your rights.
Finally, women have the right to equal pay and compensation and equal opportunities whether or not they are new mothers. If you believe you may have been passed up for a promotion because you are a new mom or if you believe you have faced wage discrimination because you are a mother, you may have important rights under the law. Contact Moore & Associates, employment discrimination lawyers in Houston, Texas today to learn more.
Parents Have Rights Under Texas Employment Laws
Being a new parent can be one of the most stressful times for a family. Fortunately, the law offers many protections for workers who are either pregnant or who are new parents. If you believe you have lost a job, faced discrimination, or have suffered wage violations as a result of your pregnancy or parenthood, you may have rights under the law. Moore & Associates are employment lawyers in Houston, Texas who serve individuals who may have faced workplace discrimination, wage violations, and unpaid overtime violations. Contact us today to learn more about your rights and to take steps to fight back.
