Laws about firing a pregnant women...

[napm81]

I have spent the last 10 years with the same company. I am 6 Months pregnant with my first child and yesterday I was fired. I used my employee discount on a friend, the policy states that misuse of privilege may result in loss or suspension of privilege and/or termination. This was my first offense in 10 years. Never written up, always a high performer. I feel targeted for being pregnant. I have reached out to a lawyer and they are looking into it. Does anyone know if I would have a case? What are the laws about firing a pregnant woman?

[Bluediamondss]

I got fired for being pregnant b4 the manager even told me in so many words that's y I was being fired. I filed a suit with the EEOC I didn't end up winning for the simple fact when it all balled down it was his word against mine, no witnesses but I did find out he was terminated from the company

[napm81]

Thanks everyone. I actually appealed my termination and got my job back!

[sew_cute]

If you do go to court the company will fight that they didn't fire you due to pregnancy but because you knew the policy and you still misused the discount privilege. In the corporate world if they want to fire someone they will nit pick on everything and use anything that will justify the termination. Do you know if any of your other employees did the same thing as you and didn't get fired? That would help your case.

[schenner2]

It will all depend on your policy or written contract as we call them here. If your written contract or employment policy does not have a set disciplinary guide ie you must receive a written warning for your first offence and then a suspension for your second etc and lay out the policy for disciplinary actions and you clearly violated a policy which is punishable by termination as set out in the contract then you may be out of luck.  I am sure your lawyer will take a good review of your employment contract and do what they can. I agree that if other people do it all the time then it may be discrimination.  I am from ontario canada and work for a lawyer but our employment standards act will be different from your state laws. And i cant give legal advice!  It is sad that they have done this but if you violated a term of your policy they have cause to terminate whether or not you are pregnant provided they followed the terms for discipline and termination. Unfortunately some companies watch closely for pregnant people to make mistakes so that they can fire them for a legitamite reason.

[3rdNdone]

I think you would have a discrimination case if you can prove that other employees who have done the same thing have been let of with a warning. I'm sorry you are going through this hopefully you win regardless.

[specialmom]

Have you done this before?  Used your discount for other people?

[robinwhite72209]

I'm sure if you weren't pregnant you would have only got a warning. That's so wrong!

[mjp0325]

If the policy states that misuse of privilege can result in loss/suspension of privilege and/or termination then it means that they can lawfully fire you for doing something against policy whether your pregnant or not. Some places will give warnings but others will not. Depends on the place and how strict they are with policy. If you had worked there for 10 years, then you are probably held to a slightly higher standard for knowing and following policy.

[specialmom]

Oh darn it!  That SOOOO  stinks.  I'm not sure if your pregnancy has anything to do with firing for an offense like that.  That isn't discrimination.  I would imagine that they have certain things that are a one time and youre out and it just coincided with pregnancy is what they can say.  

Just because a woman is pregnant, you can still be terminated.  You weren't fired because of maternity leave in this situation, you basically committed fraud with your employee discount.  (not really a big deal . . .    I guess I'd have bought something for someone and given it to them rather than allow anyone my number).

How did you get caught?  

[Denise2346]

Contact Department of Fair Employment  & Housing they'll help you

[Denise2346]

I have a case against my job your sounds like you do have a case since its your first right up and offense jobs are trying to fire women that are pregnant so they don't have to pay maternity leave great you have a attorney already

[FreyjaCasper]

You can't be fired for BEING pregnant. You can be fired for any other offense. If you fail to do your job and meet expectations required of you that are not directly caused by the pregnancy, they have every right to fire you

[moji07]

I'm going thru a similar situation and it's horrible... I know u definitely can sue and u can even keep ur job there. There are laws that protect u and ur rights as a pregnant woman. I am going under unemployment and I don't have the heart to do anything legal about it because I just can't do that to another person who probably has far worse necessities than mine... I hope everything works out for u.