What is gender and pregnancy discrimination?

In reference to pregnancy discrimination, an employer may not refuse to hire a pregnant woman because of her pregnancy or because of the prejudices of co-workers with regard to pregnancy. Furthermore, an employer may not single out pregnancy-related conditions for special procedures to determine an employee’s ability to work. If an employee is temporarily unable to perform her job due to pregnancy, the employer must treat her the same as any other temporarily disabled employee. Further, pregnant women must be able to continue to work for as long as they are able to perform their jobs; nor may an employer implement a rule that prohibits women from returning to their jobs after a predetermined period of time following pregnancy. Finally, an employer cannot fire or refuse to hire a woman for having an abortion.