Employment Law

Employment Law Paper

December 22, 2008

University of Phoenix

The history of employment law begins with the Department of Labor establishing multiple laws to protect the citizens of the United States. The government introduced the Department of Labor in 1913. The Department of Labor was run under President William B. Wilson establishing one of many laws such as the Worker’s Compensation Act of 1916. In my short working timeline I have experienced multiple acts of employment discrimination under various circumstances. I have been either apart or witnessed acts of pregnancy discrimination, and family and medical leave discrimination.

Pirozzoli (1994) states The Pregnancy Discrimination Act expanded employee benefit provisions, clarified the need for nondiscriminatory fetal protection policies, and led to state and federal laws mandating parental leave. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act law was effective in solving the issues for pregnant women from losing their income for participating in a natural experience. A company is taking away their personal right to have children because of fear of losing a job. Business fought endlessly because this act would cost their company money in paying for the time off, increased insurance cost and less productivity.

An example, I worked for Regions Bank for many years and I applied for a second job to make extra money for my new baby due in six months. I was told that I should reconsider should reconsider the position I was applying for. I was not given a fair chance to complete the job before I was pushed out the door. I fear that the company would soon be paying maternity leave for a new employee.

In compliance with federal laws of the Pregnancy Discriminations requires companies with employees of fifteen or more including state and local governments. EEOC (2008) states that any health insurance provided by an employer must cover expenses for pregnancy-related conditions on the same basis as costs for other medical...