Eighteen years ago, I was pregnant and functioning at a higher heat tape factory in Holyoke, MA. I was a difficult worker, well respected by my co-workers and eager to remain employed for my complete pregnancy. My husband and I called for the cash to have the ability to assist ourselves, and couldn’t do free of my salary. As quickly as I was 36 weeks pregnant I asked my supervisor for a stool to sit on. I wasn’t feeling enjoy myself and called for a crack from status at the equipments all of day. He looked me in the eyes and said, “If I offer you a stool, I’ll have actually to offer everybody a stool. The answer is No!” I was surpriseded and furious. I had to stand on my feet for the remainder of the day since I called for that job, although I was concerned regarding my pregnancy. I was a dedicated worker and was asking for quite easy insight to go on to do my job. However I was denied. Unfortunately, the next day, I had to have actually an emergency C-section. Thank goodness my beautiful baby girl was ok, and will certainly be graduating from higher school next year. However the outrage I felt As quickly as my boss wouldn’t permit me a easy stool As quickly as I called for it to make sure the good health of my pregnancy infuriates me to this day.
I am writing today, since even though this happened to me 18 years ago, pregnancy discrimination is unfortunately alive and well in Western MA and across the Commonwealth. As quickly as I was pregnant there were no protections. There are still none today. However we have actually an opportunity to adjustment that. The MA Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is a quite easy bill that will certainly protect pregnant workers from discrimination at work. It will certainly make sure that pregnant workers can easily have actually a bottle of water, take bathroom breaks, not have actually to climb higher ladders, and have actually a stool to sit on As quickly as necessary. These temporary accommodations are simple, inexpensive (many expenditure nothing!) and make sure the safety and good health of pregnant women also as make sure their ability to make a living to assist their families.
Forty percent of mothers in the Commonwealth are primary bread winners for their family and 80-90 percent of mothers are functioning in to their 8th-9th month of pregnancy. We should make sure that pregnant workers do not have actually to make the horrible selection in between the baby they enjoy and the task they need. We do not wish any type of various other mothers to end up enjoy I did, having emergency C-sections endangering their good health and that of their infant. And we don’t wish even worse — mothers throwing away their jobs As quickly as they demand them the many and babies having negative outcomes since minor temporary accommodations weren’t readily available at work.
I craving Rep. Wagner of Chicopee and the entire MA Delegation to assist this legislation in every means you can. It will certainly make a significant distinction to us, your constituents, that are dealing along with pregnancy discrimination today.
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