Women face many challenges in the workplace. Direct discrimination by companies and managers is still a problem. But what is even more pervasive is indirect discrimination by way of policies that adversely impact women in the workplace for choosing to have both a career and a family. The Sanford Law Firm has built an impressive reputation advocating for women who have suffered this type of discrimination in the workplace. Our discrimination lawyers are aggressive with employers to get their clients vindication but are also willing to work with employers when appropriate.
Pregnancy discrimination is a type of gender-based discrimination prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as well as comparable state statutes in Arkansas and other jurisdictions. It can be a difficult issue because, in many cases, it is motivated not by any animus but by well-intentioned albeit misinformed overprotective feelings. In other cases, however, discriminatory employers simply do not want to deal with the challenges of accommodating employees during and after pregnancy.
But pregnant employees have numerous rights under the law. Many women are entitled to job-protected unpaid leave and continuation of health benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act. In addition, refusing to hire an employee due to pregnancy, terminating employees due to pregnancy or forcing pregnant employees to take leave prematurely can all be forms of impermissible discrimination. Even some ostensibly neutral policies that have a disparate impact upon pregnant employees may be actionable discrimination under Title VII and other laws.
The interplay between career and family is a reality that employers must face in a fair and constructive manner. As pregnancy discrimination attorneys, we understand that some employers truly want to do the right thing and simply go about it in the wrong way. With our clients’ blessings, we are willing to work with these types of employers to resolve unintentional instances of pregnancy discrimination. But we also understand that some employers and mangers still cling to outmoded ideas and refuse to honor their legal obligations to their employees. We fight hard against these employers to get justice for our clients under pregnancy discrimination laws in Arkansas.
The Sanford Law Firm is committed to pursuing justice for our clients in the workplace. From our offices in Little Rock and Russellville, our attorneys help workers throughout the state investigate and vindicate employment discrimination. But we are also ready and willing to work in other states — wherever workers need a strong and principled advocate. Call our Little Rock office at 501-476-6251 or toll free at or contact us online to schedule a consultation regarding your employment issue.