Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Discrimination Attorneys in D.C.

Employees in Washington, D.C. have strong legal protections against discrimination related to pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. You have the right to take leave, request reasonable accommodations, and return to work without facing retaliation or bias.

If your employer has denied your rights, refused accommodations, or treated you unfairly because of your pregnancy or breastfeeding needs, you may have a legal claim. At The Mundaca Law Firm, we help workers across D.C. stand up to discrimination and assert their rights under local and federal law.

Know Your Rights: Pregnancy & Lactation Protections in D.C.

Washington, D.C. is one of the most employee-friendly jurisdictions in the country, with multiple overlapping laws that safeguard the rights of pregnant and nursing workers.

Key legal protections include:

1. D.C. Human Rights Act (DCHRA)

This law prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, and breastfeeding. It applies to all employers in D.C., regardless of size.

2. D.C. Pregnancy Accommodation Act

D.C. employers must provide reasonable accommodations for workers with limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions—unless doing so causes an undue hardship.

Examples of accommodations:

  • More frequent breaks
  • Modified duties or schedules
  • Temporary transfers to less hazardous positions
  • Time off for prenatal or postnatal appointments

3. D.C. Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Law

D.C. law requires employers to provide:

  • A clean, private, non-bathroom space for expressing breast milk
  • Reasonable break time to express milk as needed

This applies to all employers, and the law prohibits retaliation against workers who assert these rights.

4. D.C. Family and Medical Leave Act (DCFMLA)

Employees working for D.C. employers with 20+ workers may be entitled to:

  • Up to 16 weeks of unpaid family leave for the birth of a child
  • Up to 16 weeks of unpaid medical leave for their own serious health condition (including pregnancy-related conditions)

5. Federal Laws

Federal protections also apply, including:

  • Title VII (as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act) – bans pregnancy-based discrimination
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – may apply to pregnancy-related disabilities
  • FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) – provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for eligible employees
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) – requires lactation accommodations for hourly (non-exempt) workers

Examples of Unlawful Conduct

Pregnancy and breastfeeding discrimination can take many forms, such as:

  • Being fired, demoted, or passed over after disclosing pregnancy
  • Denial of breaks or a private space to express breast milk
  • Refusal to provide temporary accommodations like light duty
  • Negative treatment after returning from parental leave
  • Harassment or insensitive comments about your condition
  • Being told you are a “liability” or “too distracted” to do your job

These actions are not only unfair—they may be illegal. If you suspect your rights have been violated, you should speak with an experienced employment attorney as soon as possible.

How The Mundaca Law Firm Can Help

At The Mundaca Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping workers enforce their rights in the workplace—especially when they are at their most vulnerable. We understand the unique legal challenges that pregnant employees and nursing mothers face.

We assist clients in:

  • Requesting accommodations or asserting breastfeeding rights
  • Navigating medical and parental leave
  • Filing complaints with the D.C. Office of Human Rights or EEOC
  • Challenging retaliation, demotion, or termination
  • Negotiating reinstatement, severance, or damages
  • Pursuing litigation if necessary

Our approach is practical, compassionate, and focused on protecting your well-being while pursuing the justice you deserve.

What Remedies Are Available?

If your employer has violated your rights under D.C. or federal law, you may be entitled to:

  • Reinstatement to your former position
  • Back pay for lost wages
  • Front pay if reinstatement isn’t possible
  • Compensatory damages for emotional distress
  • Attorneys’ fees and costs
  • Policy changes at your workplace

Each case is different, and we tailor our legal strategy to your goals—whether that’s returning to work, obtaining compensation, or holding your employer accountable.

Speak Up Without Fear

You are protected from retaliation for asserting your pregnancy or breastfeeding rights. This includes filing a complaint, requesting accommodations, or cooperating in an investigation. If your employer takes negative action against you in response, that may be a separate legal violation.

Serving Working Parents Across Washington, D.C.

Whether you’re employed in healthcare, hospitality, retail, education, government, or the private sector, your rights matter. The Mundaca Law Firm proudly represents workers at every level—from hourly employees to corporate professionals—across all eight wards of the District of Columbia.

We Stand with Working Parents

Your job and your family shouldn’t be in conflict. The law protects your right to be a parent and a professional—without fear of discrimination or punishment.

If you believe your rights as a pregnant employee or nursing mother have been violated, contact The Mundaca Law Firm today. We’re ready to listen, advise, and advocate for you.

Call Now for a Confidential Consultation

  • Phone: (202) 474-8500
  • Website: www.mundacalaw.com
  • Offices: Washington, D.C. and Annapolis, MD
  • Serving: Workers throughout Washington, D.C. and the surrounding region

Let us help you protect your rights and your future.