Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer New York

Pregnancy should be a time to plan, adjust, and take care of yourself. It should not be a time to worry about losing your job or being treated differently at work. Yet many employees in New York begin to notice changes after they announce a pregnancy, ask for medical accommodations, or return from maternity leave. Some changes are subtle. Others happen quickly and feel sudden or unfair.

A pregnancy discrimination lawyer in New York can help you understand what has happened and what steps may be available to protect your job, income, and career.

Common Warning Signs of Pregnancy Discrimination

Pregnancy discrimination is often not announced openly. It appears through actions, tone, scheduling, responsibilities, or decisions that do not match your history or performance. If you are unsure whether what happened is illegal, noticing patterns is important.

Common warning signs include:

• A sudden change in your supervisor’s tone or attitude after you disclose your pregnancy

• Removal from key projects or responsibilities you previously handled

• Negative performance reviews appearing for the first time during pregnancy

• Scheduling changes that interfere with medical appointments or care needs

• Pressure to begin leave earlier than planned

• Resistance to simple medical accommodations (such as seating, lifting restrictions, or breaks)

• Being replaced or reassigned after returning from maternity leave

• Comments suggesting that pregnancy affects your reliability, focus, or commitment

It may feel personal, confusing, and isolating. You may second-guess yourself. This is common. A pregnancy discrimination lawyer NYC can help sort through events in a calm, structured way to determine what may be actionable.

What Is Pregnancy Discrimination in New York?

Pregnancy discrimination occurs when an employer takes negative action against an employee because they are pregnant, have recently given birth, or need time or medical accommodations related to pregnancy. Illegal actions may involve:

• Firing or laying off an employee

• Demoting or significantly changing job duties

• Reducing hours or pay

• Refusing necessary time off

• Creating a hostile or uncomfortable work environment

• Penalizing an employee for breastfeeding or pumping

Discrimination can also include subtle forms of pressure, such as being encouraged to “take time off,” being told your role is “not practical anymore,” or being moved aside “for the good of the team.”

The key question is whether pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions influenced how you were treated.

Your Rights: Pregnancy Accommodations and Leave in NYC

New York provides some of the strongest legal protections in the country. Several laws work together to protect pregnancy and childbirth in the workplace, including:

• NYC Human Rights Law – applies to most New York City employers and offers broad protections

• New York State Human Rights Law – protects employees across the state from pregnancy-related discrimination

• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – provides eligible employees with job-protected leave

• Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) – requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related needs

These laws require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related medical needs. Examples may include lifting restrictions, modified tasks, schedule flexibility, remote work, or additional breaks. In NYC, employers must engage in a “cooperative dialogue” — a conversation with you to find a solution that works.

An employer cannot punish or disadvantage an employee for requesting accommodations with proper medical support. If your employer denied your requests or treated you negatively after you asked, a pregnancy discrimination attorney NYC can help assess your options.

FAQ: Pregnancy Discrimination at Work

Q: Can I be fired while I am pregnant in NY? A: You can be fired while pregnant for legitimate reasons (like documented performance issues or layoffs), but you cannot be fired because you are pregnant. If the termination is motivated by your pregnancy, it is illegal discrimination.

Q: What is a reasonable accommodation for pregnancy under the PWFA? A: A reasonable accommodation is a change to your duties or environment that helps you perform your job safely. Common examples include breaks to use the restroom, access to water, modified lifting duties, a temporary transfer to a less strenuous role, or time off for recovery from childbirth.

Q: What happens if my job is changed when I return from maternity leave? A: If you took leave under the FMLA or similar laws, you generally have the right to return to the same or a substantially equivalent position. If your employer demotes you, reduces your pay, or significantly changes your duties upon return, this may be discrimination or retaliation.

How a Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer New York Can Help

Speaking with a lawyer does not mean you must take legal action. The first goal is clarity. A pregnancy discrimination lawyer in New York can:

• Listen to your experience and timeline

• Review documentation such as emails, performance reviews, and schedules

• Determine whether your legal protections were violated

• Communicate with your employer when appropriate

• Negotiate a resolution such as reinstatement, accommodation, or severance

• File a formal claim if necessary

Some cases are resolved through conversation. Others require formal action. What matters is your stability, health, and long-term career.

Why Workers Choose Rissmiller PLLC

Rissmiller PLLC represents employees — not employers. We are dedicated advocates for workers’ rights. We work with clients throughout New York and New Jersey who have faced pregnancy discrimination, retaliation, and unfair treatment at work. Our approach is steady, thoughtful, and grounded in strategy.

Clients receive direct communication with the attorney handling their case. We focus on listening carefully, understanding your situation, and moving at the pace that is right for you.

This is not a process you need to go through on your own.

What to Do Next

If you believe you may have experienced pregnancy discrimination:

• Write down a detailed timeline of events, including dates and who was present

• Save all relevant emails, messages, performance reviews, and scheduling records

• Avoid quitting or confronting management before getting legal guidance

A short conversation can help you understand your options and next steps.

Contact Rissmiller PLLC

If you were treated differently because you were pregnant or returning from maternity leave, you can speak with Rissmiller PLLC for a free and confidential consultation. We will help you review the situation and consider what may be possible.