Starting or growing your family should never jeopardize your career. Yet pregnancy discrimination remains a persistent issue in workplaces across New Jersey. If you believe you were demoted, denied accommodations, or terminated because of pregnancy or related medical conditions, consulting with an experienced Employment Lawyer can help you understand and enforce your rights.

Castronovo & McKinney, LLC focuses exclusively on employment law and represents employees throughout New Jersey facing unlawful discrimination. From its Morristown office, the firm serves clients in Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Morris County, and surrounding communities with strategic and client-centered advocacy.

Legal Protections for Pregnant Employees

Under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), pregnancy is a protected condition. Employers may not discriminate against employees based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Federal law, including the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, provides additional protections.

These laws prohibit employers from taking adverse employment actions such as termination, demotion, reduction in hours, or denial of promotion because an employee is pregnant or plans to become pregnant.

Reasonable Accommodations

New Jersey law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees when medically necessary. Accommodations may include:

• Modified work schedules


• Temporary reassignment to lighter duties


• More frequent breaks


• Seating accommodations


• Temporary transfer away from hazardous tasks

An employer may only deny an accommodation if it can demonstrate that the request would impose an undue hardship on business operations.

Harassment and Hostile Work Environment

Pregnancy discrimination is not limited to hiring or firing decisions. Harassment related to pregnancy—such as derogatory comments, jokes, or unfair scrutiny—may create a hostile work environment if severe or pervasive.

Repeated remarks about an employee’s ability to perform her job while pregnant, pressure to take unpaid leave prematurely, or exclusion from key assignments can support a legal claim when tied to discriminatory motives.

Leave Rights and Retaliation

Pregnant employees may also be entitled to leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA). Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees for requesting or taking protected leave.

If an employer disciplines or terminates an employee shortly after a leave request, careful review of timing and documentation may reveal unlawful retaliation.

Proving Pregnancy Discrimination

Pregnancy discrimination claims often require careful evaluation of employment records, performance reviews, and communications between management and the employee. Sudden changes in performance evaluations or job duties following disclosure of pregnancy may raise legal concerns.

Employers sometimes attempt to justify adverse actions with performance-based explanations. Experienced employment counsel can analyze whether those justifications are consistent with prior records and workplace practices.

Potential Remedies

Employees who prevail in pregnancy discrimination cases may recover damages such as:

• Back pay and lost wages


• Front pay for future earnings


• Lost benefits


• Emotional distress damages


• Attorneys’ fees and court costs

In certain cases, equitable remedies such as reinstatement or policy changes may also be ordered.

Focused Advocacy for New Jersey Employees

Facing discrimination during pregnancy can be both emotionally and financially overwhelming. Castronovo & McKinney, LLC provides thorough, strategic representation designed to protect your rights and professional future. Each case is prepared with attention to detail, whether resolution occurs through negotiation or litigation.

Protecting pregnant employees from discrimination strengthens workplace fairness and ensures that career advancement is not limited by family decisions.

Contact Castronovo & McKinney, LLC

Castronovo & McKinney, LLC
71 Maple Ave
Morristown, NJ 07960
United States

Phone: 973-920-7888
Email: [email protected]

Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed

The firm proudly represents clients throughout New Jersey, including Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Morris County, and the cities of Hackensack, Newark, New Brunswick, and Morristown.