Gender and Pregnancy Discrimination
In 1964 the United States’ Congress was contentiously debating the merits of the pending civil rights’
bill, and some congressmen were looking for ways to defeat the bill. Some of these men thought that
if they added “sex” to the list of protected categories, that this would surely lead to the bill’s defeat. However, these congressmen underestimated the shear political muscle and will of fellow Texan, and
President, Lyndon Baines Johnson, and as a result the Civil Rights Act was signed into law in 1965, (with the
additional language protecting women against discrimination). A few years later, the United States
passed a law protecting women from being discriminated against for becoming pregnant, and a few
years later Texas adopted a statute providing protections against gender and pregnancy
discrimination. In addition to these anti-discrimination laws, in 1977 the United States passed the
Equal Pay Act, which guarantees that women have the right to be paid the same as a man, if they are
doing the same work.
Despite these laws, the United States’ workforce is still extremely segregated by gender, and the
overall pay disparity between women and men remains significant. This segregation and pay disparity
is sometimes warranted based on necessary qualifications, and the undesirability of some jobs to the
majority of women. But many woman are extremely qualified for, and desiring of, certain positions
dominated by males, but employers refuse to consider them for positions. Worse yet, some
employers hire women but do not promote them because of biases, mistaken perceptions, or
failure to be a part of the “good ol-boy network.” These employers are the ones that must be dragged
into the twenty-first century kicking and screaming, most likely through litigation. For a brief
overview on what evidence is used to establish an illegal discrimination case, go to our Spotting Illegal Discrimination webpage.
As mentioned above, the discrimination laws prevent gender discrimination, as well as discrimination
based on pregnancy. An employer cannot terminate or refuse to hire/promote a female employee
merely because she becomes pregnant. An employer must also accommodate a pregnant woman the
same way the employer accommodates other employees that have medical conditions. Likewise, all
employers must comply with the Family & Medical Leave Act, if applicable. Failure to
accommodate, or different treatment such as failure to hire, promote, different compensation, or a
termination, can be the basis of a viable gender discrimination action.
Please note that the laws also provide protections for illegal gender and sexual harassment and retaliation. If you believe that you have been the victim of gender or pregnancy discrimination,
please fill out and send the discrimination e-mail form. If your company has been wrongfully accused of
committing a discriminatory act, please fill out and send our other email contact form. We would be
happy to review your matter, and contact you about your potential options. PLEASE DO NOT
DELAY, as this may prevent you from being able to assert your legal rights.