Houston Pregnancy Discrimination Attorneys

Protecting Employees in Texas and Across the Nation

If a pregnant woman is not hired or is passed up for a promotion in favor of a non-pregnant woman—or if an expectant mother is denied benefits, disability leave, or Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave—or when a mother on maternity leave is fired or loses her position—an employer may be discriminating based on pregnancy. To talk with Houston employment attorneys who are experienced in investigating pregnancy discrimination cases, contact Shellist Lazarz Slobin.

Pregnancy discrimination is a form of gender discrimination in the workplace, and it violates the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which is an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These federal laws prohibit discrimination based on gender, sex, and pregnancy, and they are enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

A Houston pregnancy discrimination lawyer from our team at Shellist Lazarz Slobin can explain your rights under these federal laws and represent you in a pregnancy discrimination claim. Call us at (713) 352-3433.

Understanding Your Rights Against Pregnancy Discrimination

Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), unlawful discrimination includes:

• Discrimination in hiring, promotions, or issuing health insurance or fringe benefits on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions
• Refusal to hire a pregnant woman because of her pregnancy, a pregnancy-related condition, or the prejudices of co-workers, clients, or customers
• Refusal to give the same considerations to workers temporarily disabled by pregnancy as given to other workers temporarily disabled, such as allowing modification of tasks or alternative assignments
• Prohibiting an employee from returning to work for a predetermined length of time after childbirth

Under the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), “An eligible employee shall be entitled to a total of 12 workweeks of leave during any 12-month period…because of the birth of a son or daughter of the employee and in order to care for such son or daughter.” If you have been denied your employee rights under FMLA, or if you have been denied maternity leave or temporary disability leave, contact the pregnancy discrimination lawyers at Shellist Lazarz Slobin.

In addition to federal protections, Texas employees may have rights under state and local laws that interact with Title VII and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. A pregnancy discrimination attorney on our team can help you evaluate which laws apply to your situation, how deadlines for filing charges work, and what types of damages may be available based on your lost wages, benefits, or opportunities. By working closely with you to document changes in your schedule, duties, or treatment at work, we build a clear record that supports a strong claim from the outset.

What To Expect When You Contact Our Houston Pregnancy Discrimination Attorneys

Many people reach out to us while they are still employed, uncertain about how to protect themselves without making the situation worse. When you first call our office, we will gather basic information about your job, how your employer responded to your pregnancy, and any steps you have already taken, such as speaking with human resources or filing an internal complaint. A pregnancy discrimination lawyer will then evaluate whether your facts suggest a violation of federal law, Texas law, or both, and we will explain your options in clear, practical terms. This initial assessment can help you decide whether to move forward with a formal charge, continue documenting events, or pursue negotiation with your employer.

If we move forward together, we typically begin by helping you organize documents such as offer letters, handbooks, performance reviews, emails, text messages, and notes of conversations. We will discuss timelines that apply to filing an EEOC charge and how proceedings may unfold in venues that regularly hear employment cases affecting workers in the Houston region, such as the federal courthouse for the Southern District of Texas. Throughout the process, we will keep you informed about next steps, including possible mediation, discovery, or trial, and we will talk with you about the potential impact on your career so you can make decisions that align with your goals and family needs.

Consult Our Houston Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyers for a Consultation

At Shellist Lazarz Slobin, we are advocates who are dedicated to protecting employees’ civil rights. Our Houston pregnancy discrimination attorneys have experience in handling investigations and lawsuits regarding pregnancy and sex discrimination in the workplace in Texas and throughout the United States. We thoroughly investigate pregnancy discrimination cases and claims of violations of FMLA laws in order to remedy current discrimination and prevent future discrimination.

When you contact our Houston pregnancy discrimination lawyers, we will take the time to listen to your story, gather documents, and explain each step of the process so you can make informed choices. Our team regularly appears in federal and state courts that serve the Houston region, and we understand how local judges and juries may view retaliation, harassment, and termination tied to pregnancy or childbirth. We also work to resolve many cases through settlement discussions or mediation, seeking terms that protect your income, benefits, and long-term career.

If you suffered pregnancy discrimination, wrongful termination for filing a discrimination claim with the EEOC, or other unlawful gender or sex discrimination in the workplace, we encourage you to contact us to schedule an initial consultation. Our Houston pregnancy discrimination attorneys can help.

Call our Houston employment lawyers for pregnancy discrimination at (713) 352-3433 for all the information you need.