Pregnancy Bias Complaints Jumped Last Year

Complaints and inquiries about pregnancy discrimination are rising, possibly reflecting confusion about federal protections.

Complaints of pregnancy discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission totaled 5,587 last year, a 14 percent increase over the year before and a 40 percent increase over the last decade.

But the EEOC’s call center got many more inquiries about the problem—20,400 in all, the Wall Street Journal reports. The advocacy group, 9to5, National Association of Working Women, is also reporting that more women who call its hotline are asking about pregnancy bias.

The newspaper says the inquiries reflect “a new activism among mothers” and confusion over the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act. Many who call the hotlines believe they are entitled to paid leave under the federal law or special protection from firing. Instead the law merely requires employers to hold pregnant women to the same standards as men.