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Can my employer fire me because I’m pregnant?

In Washington State, employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees under Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. There are also federal laws that protect employees from being fired due to their pregnancy status. One such law is the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), which prohibits pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. This applies to employers with 15 or more employees.

Both state and federal laws require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers and those who have recently given birth or have related medical conditions, with certain exceptions. If you believe you have been discriminated against because of your pregnancy status, we recommend you seek legal advice from an attorney.


Here is the Fact Sheet from the EEOC on Pregnancy Discrimination:

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