Are there specific laws prohibiting discrimination against pregnant women?

Yes, California has specific laws that prohibit discrimination against pregnant women. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is a law that prohibits discrimination by employers and housing providers against pregnant women. This law states that employers must not discriminate against an employee because of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including lactation. It also states that employers must provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant women and those with related medical conditions, such as allowing modified work schedules or providing private places for expressing breast milk. Additionally, employers must treat pregnant employees the same as other employees who are temporarily disabled. The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) also provides protections for pregnant women. This law states that employers must provide employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave due to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. During this leave, employers must continue to provide health insurance coverage for the employee and must restore her to her original job – or an equivalent job – upon her return. Both the FEHA and the CFRA also have provisions against employers retaliating against pregnant employees for exercising their rights under these laws. In California, it is illegal for employers to discriminate against women because of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or to retaliate against them for exercising their rights under these laws.

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