Getting fired during or after announcing pregnancy can feel unfair. You may wonder if that decision was legal. In Texas, pregnancy alone isn’t a valid reason to terminate employment.
Protections under federal and state law
Federal law protects you from being fired because of pregnancy. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act, part of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, makes it illegal to treat pregnant workers differently. Texas law follows these same protections. If you’re able to work, your employer must treat you the same as other employees with similar abilities.
You also have rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) if your employer has at least 50 employees. FMLA allows up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for pregnancy, childbirth, and bonding with your baby. Your job must be there when you return.
What counts as pregnancy discrimination?
If your employer fires you shortly after learning about your pregnancy, it could be discriminatory. Timing matters. If they give vague reasons or claim your performance suddenly dropped, it might be a cover. Employers can still fire pregnant workers for valid reasons, like policy violations, but they can’t use pregnancy as an excuse.
Even refusing to accommodate pregnancy-related needs, like more restroom breaks or light duty, could signal discrimination. Your employer must treat you like others with temporary medical conditions.
How to respond if it happens
If you think you were fired because of your pregnancy, document everything. Save emails, write down conversations, and note the timeline. This helps show whether pregnancy played a role.
Filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is one option. They investigate workplace discrimination and may help resolve the issue. Acting quickly is important since there’s a deadline to file.
Getting fired while pregnant doesn’t mean the employer acted within the law. Federal and Texas laws shield workers from being treated unfairly due to pregnancy. Understanding your rights can help you respond if you’re treated differently at work.
