Legal Question in Employment Law in United States

I am currently a pregnant dental assistant in my last term working for a dentist at a private practice. I started out at the practiced as an intern and then I was hired back in Sept 2014. I've been working at this office for over a year now. I found out I was at least 3 mos pregnant back in April 2015. I informed the Doctor of this. I was asked was I considering taken time off, up until when I was going to work and etc. I told the doctor I was planning to take at least 6 weeks off and I was planning to work up until my due date. She said okay and she was going to just have a temp come in when I take leave until I come back. She seemed okay with everything. As time went on she started telling me how my pregnancy was such an inconvience to her and that she doesn't know if she could do this and how I was a burden and how I was always using the bathroom and etc because I was unable to do certain things. The only thing the obgyn said was that I could not take X-rays and not to life anything over 25lbs. I've told her numerous times that I could still assist her with no problem. Even after our numerous talks she kept me in the front and had the other assistant assisting her. Sometimes she would ask me to assist her and then says nevermind I'll have the other assistant do it. Then she gets upset with me and tells me I need to improve on certain skills, but I don't understand how a person is suppose to learn and improve on a skill when they aren't given the opportunity to do it. She would just tell me how ever since I got pregnant I've just gotten worst and worst. She evening had me sign a employee warning paper once. And numerous times she had me write down on a black sheet of paper my skills I need to improve and sign. She would keep me in the front and not have me assist her so I don't know how I am suppose to improve my skills if I'm not given the chance to. Everything time she spoke to me about what I need to improve on she would bring my pregnancy up and how it is a problem for her. I've documented those dates and wrote a summary on what she said. Just recently she said "I feel like the care more about your baby than anything" I didn't respond just let her continue to talk. When I let her talk she tells me when you don't say anything it makes me feel like you don't care. But if I do respond she's quick to say I'm talking back. Just this past week she's been pushing me to resign because she says it would be better for me if I was to resign and her not fire me. I told her no I didnt want to resign but if she feels like she needs to fire me that to go ahead. But no she kept pushing me to resign. I have not resign and she has not fired me yet. Today she texted me in the morning and told me not in come in because we were not going to be busy. This is not the first time she's asked me not to come in. On numerous occasions she's had me leave early, come in late, and take 2 hour lunches. I have just one more month left of my pregnancy and can not quit because I have bills to pay and a child on the way I need to take care of. What can I do?


Asked on 9/28/15, 5:25 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Antoinette Wooten The Wooten Legal Consulting, PC

It appears as though your employer is treating you different due to your being pregnant.

If this is correct, it violates state and federal law.

Have you filed any written complaints about your treatment?

Do you have a union?

Feel free to contact me at 917-722-9384.

Sincerely,

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Answered on 9/29/15, 7:42 am


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