If I was recently released from a job and am 4 months pregnant but am scared that they will deny me my unemployment, what do I do?

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If I was recently released from a job and am 4 months pregnant but am scared that they will deny me my unemployment, what do I do?

I am not sure where I can find another job with a pregnant belly.

Asked on September 26, 2015 under Employment Labor Law, Ohio

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 8 years ago | Contributor

If you were not fired "for cause"--that is, for insuborination, violating company policies or a supervisor's instructions, or some other wrong-doing, like fighting or theft at work--you should be eligible for unemployment and this includes even if you were fired for poor performance or a personality clash with a supervisor. If the employer tries to deny you unemployment, you can appeal that denial and have a hearing on the subject.
If you think you were fired because you were pregnant, that is illegal in this case, you can and should contact the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission EEOC or your state's equal/civil rights agency to file a complaint.
If you look for a new job, employers are not supposed to discriminate against you in hiring because you are pregnant. That also would be illegal discrimination, and you feel that a prospective employer didn't hire you because you are pregnant, you can again file a complaint.
Note there are a small number of positions where you can legally refuse to hire a pregnant woman, but those are where there are obvious safety issues--e.g. an employer doesn't need to hire a pregnant woman to be an X-ray technician or to work with chemicals that can cause birth defects.


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