Can my boss refuse to give me an easier position if I’m pregnant?
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Can my boss refuse to give me an easier position if I’m pregnant?
I’m 6 months pregnant and I have asked my boss to give me an easier position at work and he told me no is there anything I can do?
Asked on July 9, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Indiana
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Yes, your employer may refuse to give you a different job or position. While an employer may not discriminate against employees due to pregnancy, the employer may still require them to do the job they were hired for and does not have to give them a different job. All the employer does have to do--if it would be helpful--would be to make "reasonable accomodations" to the pregnancy, which are minor changes in how the current job is done...and which only have to made if such changes can be done without jeopardizing getting the job done. For example: say that you cannot stand as long. If your job is cashier and cashiers normally stand, your employer might have to give you a chair or stool, since clearly you can operate a cash register while seated. On the other hand, say that you a "picker" in a warehouse--you help pick, pack, and ship. A picker can't do her job without standing, so the employer does not need to provide any accomodation.
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