What can I do if my employer discriminates against me because of my pregnancy?
September 22, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Sofia Vöss
Dear Employment Lawyer,
I am reaching out to you as I am in a difficult situation and urgently need advice. My name is Bernhard Strauss and I have been working as an accountant in a medium-sized company for five years. A few weeks ago, I informed my employer that I am pregnant. Since then, I feel like I am being discriminated against because of my pregnancy.
Firstly, my employer has reduced my working hours, even though I have no health issues and am still able to carry out my tasks as usual. Additionally, I am being excluded from important meetings and projects more frequently, even though I used to actively participate in them before. I have also noticed that I am being assigned less challenging tasks and my colleagues are suddenly treating me differently.
This situation is causing me great concern as I fear that my employer is trying to get rid of me because of my pregnancy or at least disadvantage me. Therefore, I am wondering what I can do in this situation to protect myself and uphold my rights as a pregnant woman.
Could you please advise me on possible legal steps I can take to address the discrimination? Are there any specific laws or regulations that can support me in my situation? I would be grateful for any advice as I currently feel very helpless and unsure.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Bernhard Strauss
Dear Mr. Strauss,
I understand your concerns and can empathize with the stressful situation you are currently facing. It is important that you are aware of your rights as a pregnant employee and that you can stand up against any form of discrimination.
First and foremost, I want to assure you that in Germany there are legal regulations that protect pregnant women from discrimination in the workplace. The Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) regulates the special protection of pregnant women from dismissal, employment bans, and discrimination in the workplace. According to the MuSchG, for example, your employer is prohibited from discriminating against you or terminating your employment due to your pregnancy.
In your specific case, where you feel that you are being discriminated against because of your pregnancy, you should first have a conversation with your employer. Speak openly about your observations and concerns and point out that you feel unfairly treated. Perhaps a solution can already be found through this conversation.
If the conversation with your employer does not bring improvement, you can consider taking further legal steps. For example, you have the right to contact the relevant supervisory authority, which can intervene in cases of discrimination in the workplace. Additionally, you can also consult an employment lawyer to represent your interests and potentially initiate legal proceedings.
It is important that you document all incidents and can name witnesses who can confirm your observations. The more evidence you can gather, the better you can defend your rights as a pregnant woman.
I hope that this information helps you and that you will soon find a solution to your situation. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or need legal support.
Sincerely,
Sofia Vöss
Employment Lawyer
