Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney in Santa Barbara

Name: Bamieh & De Smeth PLC
Telephone: (805)643-5555
Price range: Free Consultation
Rating: 4.6

Pregnancy should be a time of excitement and anticipation — not fear about losing your job or being treated unfairly at work. Sadly, pregnancy discrimination remains a reality for many workers in Santa Barbara.

What Is Pregnancy Discrimination?

Pregnancy discrimination happens when an employer treats a worker unfairly based on pregnancy, childbirth, or a pregnancy-related health condition. Discrimination can occur at any point in the employment process — from hiring decisions to promotions, job assignments, and even terminations.

Common examples of pregnancy discrimination include:

Refusing to hire someone because they are pregnant
Terminating or demoting an employee after learning of their pregnancy
Denying reasonable accommodations, such as modified duties or extra break time
Pressuring an employee to begin maternity leave earlier than necessary
Forcing an employee to return from leave before they are medically ready
Cutting hours, pay, or job responsibilities because of pregnancy
Retaliating against an employee for requesting pregnancy-related leave or accommodations

In Santa Barbara and across California, these actions are illegal under both the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA).

Your Rights as a Pregnant Worker in Santa Barbara

California provides some of the strongest protections for pregnant employees in the nation. If you are working in Santa Barbara, your rights include:

Reasonable Accommodations: Your employer must work with you to provide reasonable changes to your job if needed due to pregnancy or a related medical condition.
Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL): You may be eligible for up to four months of job-protected leave for pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions — separate from leave rights under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) or the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Protection from Retaliation: It is illegal for an employer to punish you for asserting your pregnancy-related rights, requesting accommodations, or taking protected leave.

Whether you work for a small business on State Street or a major employer near downtown Santa Barbara, the law is clear: discrimination based on pregnancy is unlawful, and you have the right to challenge it.

How Bamieh & De Smeth Can Help

Employers often try to cover up discriminatory behavior or offer flimsy excuses for their actions. Our Santa Barbara pregnancy discrimination lawyers are here to make sure your voice is heard and your rights are protected.

We offer:

Personalized Attention

We take the time to understand your situation and craft a legal strategy built around your specific goals.

Aggressive Advocacy

Whether negotiating a fair settlement or taking your case to court, we hold employers accountable for unlawful discrimination and retaliation.

Compassionate Support

Pregnancy discrimination cases are personal and emotional. We are here to support you through every step, handling the legal complexities so you can focus on your health and your family.

No Fees Unless We Win

We represent clients on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

Request a Free Consultation

What Compensation Can You Recover?

If you’ve suffered pregnancy discrimination in the workplace, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Lost wages and employment benefits
Emotional distress and mental anguish
Punitive damages (for particularly egregious employer misconduct)
Reinstatement to your position (if applicable)
Attorneys’ fees and litigation costs

Every case is different. During your consultation, we’ll explain what types of compensation may be available based on your unique circumstances.

Don’t Wait to Protect Your Rights

At Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, we are dedicated to standing up for the rights of pregnant employees who experience discrimination or retaliation. If you believe your employer has mistreated you because of pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition, our Santa Barbara employment attorneys are ready to fight for you.

Acting quickly gives you the best chance to preserve evidence, protect your legal rights, and build a strong case. Call us today at (805) 643-5555 to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced pregnancy discrimination attorney. You deserve to work in a supportive, respectful environment — and we’re here to help make sure you do.