Federal and state laws exist to protect Ohio workers from being demoted, fired or suffer other adverse employment conditions for discriminatory reasons. The laws generally extend to workers who need to take time off from work for issues that arise during a pregnancy or for any childbirth or related medical condition that may develop. Despite the protections for workers afforded under the law, some employers still make such discriminatory decisions.

Allegations underlying a pregnancy discrimination case brought under a variety of federal laws in Texas highlights how supervisors may act without regard to anti-discrimination laws. A woman who worked for a medical services group that offers rehabilitative care recently filed a lawsuit after she was fired while on leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act during her pregnancy.

The pregnancy discrimination lawsuit alleges that the woman sought FMLA authorized leave after developing premature contractions during her pregnancy. Her doctor placed her on indefinite bed rest due to her medical condition. The woman went on FMLA leave on Jan 19, according to the federal lawsuit.

The woman says that on Feb. 7, her supervisor fired her in an email. The woman filed a lawsuit under the FMLA, the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as other relief.

In her lawsuit, the former medical group worker says the company hired another woman in early 2011. The woman was also fired after telling the employer that she was pregnant, according to the recently filed lawsuit.

Source: SE Texas Record, "Texas woman files pregnancy discrimination lawsuit," Michelle Keahey, Nov. 20, 2011