SC Employment Laws-Pregnancy Discrimination

Question:

I’m 3 months pregnant. I work at at large Home Improvement warehouse (#48) as a sales specialist on the selling floor. When I was moved from one department to another I made it very clear to the sales manager that i will NOT be climbing ladders or lifting anything above 25 lbs due to pregnancy. He assured me it would be no problem (I have a doctor’s note stating that I cannot climb ladders or lift over 25lbs). My job description as a sales specialist focuses on Specialty Selling, not “grunt work”. I am now being told that I have no choice but to be moved to a cashier position, which is not what I want to do. Could this be considered discrimination?

Answer:

What is their reason for the switch? Did they flat out say is was because of your pregnancy? If so, that’s illegal. If they made up some lame excuse to make it appear legit, it still might be illegal because they’re covering up the real reason. You need to document what’s going on and then be prepared to go after them. Click here to learn how to document problems at work.

If a woman is temporarily unable to perform her job due to a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, the employer or other covered entity must treat her the same as any other temporarily disabled employee. For example, the employer may have to provide modified tasks, alternative assignments, disability leave or unpaid leave. http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/pregnancy.cfm

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