Tips for Introverts on Dealing With Discrimination at Work During and After a Pregnancy - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Tips for Introverts on Dealing With Discrimination at Work During and After a Pregnancy - Introvert Whisperer Tips for Introverts on Dealing With Discrimination at Work During and After a Pregnancy Workplace discrimination is an unfortunate reality for some people. Each reason for discrimination is wrong, and one of those reasons is pregnancy. While some employers are helpful and accomodating during an employee’s pregnancy, others may view this time as a hindrance to an employee’s performance. There are many ways that a person may feel discriminated against as a result of their pregnancy, but it can be especially difficult for introverts to deal with given the personal nature of pregnancy. In order to deal with issues resulting from pregnancy discrimination, it’s helpful to know your rights and to make your happiness and health a priority. If you are experiencing discrimination, know that there are steps you can take to protect your rights. How You Might Experience Discrimination Related to Pregnancy There are many ways you may experience discrimination during or after pregnancy. This can hinder a person’s place in their company, their employee rights, and their overall happiness. Some examples include: Being denied an area to breastfeed: Despite the many health benefits of breastfeeding, many still discriminate against women who breastfeed their children. Employees have been fired for asking for breaks to feed or pump, denied breaks when leaking milk, or not given a private space to pump. Being punished for time off needed for appointments: Both during pregnancy and after, mothers will need time off to attend mandatory doctor’s appointments. Some employers may punish those who take more time off than the average employee to get to their appointments. Being overlooked for raises and promotions because of maternity leave: Maternity leave is an important time for mothers and their babies, but some employers see this time off as a hindrance and look over capable employees for raises and promotions due to their need for maternity leave. Being discriminated against due to weight: Weight can be a difficult aspect during and after pregnancy. Unfortunately, some employers also discriminate on the basis of BMI, which can lead to fewer opportunities for advancement. Why This Can Be Hard for Introverted Employees Workplace discrimination is hard on any kind of person, and the same is true for introverted employees. Not only does it require you to have difficult conversations, it takes a very intimate and private experience and makes it more public. For introverted employees who often prefer to keep to themselves, this can be especially difficult to maneuver. It’s helpful to have open and honest discussions with your manager, but discussing conflict can be hard, especially for introverted employees. For that reason, don’t be afraid to involve HR to help facilitate these awkward and tense discussions. Knowing Your Rights Knowing your rights is the first step in handling discrimination attached to your pregnancy. An employer can’t fire a person based on many things including their race, religion, disability, or their pregnancy, among others. They also can’t deny your employment, deny a promotion, cut your pay, or change your benefits based on your pregnancy. If your job is difficult to do because of your pregnancy, your employer needs to accomodate you. You cannot be harassed, you should have all the same rights given to an employee with a temporary disability, and you cannot be punished for filing a complaint about pregnancy discrimination. You should also be given breaks to pump or breastfeed as well as a reasonable location to do it. Each state will also have its own laws about pregnancy discrimination, so make sure you do your research in your state. You’ll also have additional laws under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that may apply, which is enforced by the Department of Labor. What to Do if You Encounter Discrimination All of these rights are outlined in the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and if your employer violates any of them, you can file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) â€" or the Departmenet of Labor if it’s an FMLA issue. Remember to file within 180 days from the day the discrimination happened. It’s also important to keep a log of any discriminatory behavior, and to review your employee handbook to understand your employer’s policies. You can also speak with your HR department to attempt to rectify the situation without filing a complaint, or speaking to an EEOC counselor. If you decide to file a complaint, your employer will be notified and the EEOC can either: Settle, or refer you and your employer to a mediator. File a lawsuit if mediation doesn’t get anywhere. Dismiss the case and send you a letter that notifies you that you can sue them yourself. Prioritizing Your Health and Happiness You should really be prioritizing your health and happiness during your pregnancy, and if that means not telling your employer about your pregnancy, you have that right. If you’re taking the 12 weeks of maternity leave that you’re entitled to per the FMLA, you should notify your employer at least 30 days before you take it. Otherwise, you don’t have to tell them if you can get away with it. In the meantime, focus on ways to stay healthy in your pregnancy. This includes getting good sleep, getting plenty of exercise, drinking water, and allowing yourself to relax. Though it can be hard to focus on reducing stress when your employer is making your pregnancy difficult, remember your wellness is the priority. It can be difficult to maneuver through workplace discrimination because of the sensitive and accusatory nature of it, but it’s important to trust your feelings on how you’re being treated. You have rights, and you’re allowed to bring up the concerns you have that are related to how you’re being treated during this time. Just because you’re pregnant, or postpartum, doesn’t mean you aren’t just as capable, hardworking, or as deserving as other employees, and you deserve to be treated that way. Image Source: Pexels By: Frankie Wallace Frankie Wallace  is a blogger from Boise, Idaho and a recent graduate from the University of Montana. Wallace contributes to a variety of different blogs online and focuses on writing about career advice. 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