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Women have achieved equal status in the workplace, partially assisted by labor laws. There was a time when men could treat their female employees poorly without worrying about a lawsuit. Pioneering lawsuits changed the workplace for the better. No longer did women have to worry about inappropriate advances from their boss, or be fired because of a pregnancy.
Pregnancy has its own issues that affect the workplace and employee in complex ways. The woman may or may not return to her job after giving birth, which causes uncertainty for the employer. On the employer’s side, work needs to be done by someone. The mother will naturally be more concerned with her life changes and new child. Situations such as this can lead to problems from management. It is important that management be informed of the Family Medical Leave Act. The law affects everyone equally, no matter where the business is located, be it Los Angeles or NYC.
A woman who is experiencing on-the-job pregnancy harassment in Los Angeles will most likely seek to sue her employer. The FMLA protects her from job loss and related harassment. There is no reason that a business should allow their employees or management to engage in this type of activity.
Ensure that management is fully aware of labor laws for women. Having educated staff avoids the unpleasantness of having to handle a lawsuit. Encourage dialogue for these types of situations so as to avoid any misunderstandings and prejudices. When management and employees can discuss the issue in a civil manner, everyone walks away happy.
