In 2018, it is not uncommon for a mother to find a job and work while she is pregnant. She is able to work the same job as anyone else, this is called equal rights.
In 2018, we send text messages back and forth, but leave professional conversations for in person or over the phone, this is called common courtesy.
In 2018, it is illegal to fire someone based on any medical condition, including pregnancy, this is law.
In 2018, a pregnant mother sent a text message to her boss about the schedule, perfectly acceptable. Her boss then replied back informing her she should have told them she was pregnant in the interview process, not acceptable and illegal to ask. The same manager then told her it was a bad time for them to have someone out on maternity leave, not acceptable. He then proceeded to tell her she no longer had a job, illegal.
In 1978, Congress passed the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, making it illegal to refuse to hire a woman based on the fact that she may become pregnant, is pregnant or plans to become pregnant. This covers all women. It prevents an employer from discriminating against a woman, who is childbearing age, because she may have children. It also prevents them from letting an employee go because they want to get pregnant.
Common courtesy would have taken this manager far. If he had the courtesy to have an in-person conversation with his employee, the conversation would not be spread over Facebook as a viral photo. His mistake may have easily glanced over with no proof of his error. Instead, this manager decided to inform a pregnant employee that she was being fired for that very reason. It was not enough to illegally fire her, but it was also rudely done.
This mother was doing what she knew was right and got a job to take care of herself and her unborn child. She could have chosen to be on welfare and not get a job. It is clear that based on the fact that pregnancy had to be covered as a protected class all on its own, this mother is not alone. Pregnancy is a very visible condition, and because of this, it is easy for employers to discriminate against. A pregnant woman in an interview may not be hired because of the baby bump, but they don't tell her that is why. It might not be as outright as being fired because of maternity leave, but it still happens and it is still illegal.
This archaic act has taken an uneducated man back over forty years, and he is possibly younger than the mother he fired. The lack of education not only reflects poorly on him but the business who employed him. A manager should be well versed in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission laws. The company failed to train and educate their staff. There are a lot of things to know when becoming a manager. Some of it you can wing, a federal law you can't.
Let's not go back to prehistoric times. Companies take the time to educate your hiring and firing employees, so you don't end up being the next viral text message.
