Being a working parent in Michigan is no small feat. You can be juggling work deadlines with parenting duties. It’s a challenging role, and sometimes, it might feel like your workplace doesn’t fully appreciate the balancing act. You might even face discrimination because of your family responsibilities.
The impact of this type of unfair treatment can reach far beyond your workplace, so it is crucial to understand whether you have any remedies that can help.
What does parenting discrimination look like?
Parenting discrimination, also known as caregiver or family responsibilities discrimination, happens when employers treat parents – especially mothers and people of color – unfairly because of their family duties. Some types of discrimination can include:
- Being passed over for promotions or opportunities due to assumptions about your availability or commitment
- Given less challenging or high-visibility assignments based on stereotypes about your parenting responsibilities
- Denied flexible work arrangements or remote work options despite being able to meet productivity standards
- Subjected to biased performance evaluations or feedback that focuses on your family obligations rather than your work performance
- Exclusion from important meetings, events or projects because of caregiving responsibilities
For instance, a mother might not get a promotion because her boss believes she won’t be able to handle the extra responsibility due to her childcare duties. Or a father might be refused flexible working hours to care for a sick child, even though such arrangements are available to other employees.
Legal protections and what you can do
While there’s no specific state or federal law against parenting discrimination, you still have rights. Discrimination based on gender or other protected characteristics is illegal under federal and Michigan state laws. Further, several laws can protect you if your employer is mistreating you because of your family duties:
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): This law lets eligible employees take unpaid leave for family or medical reasons without losing their job.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): This protects employees who may need accommodations due to health issues related to caregiving.
- Pregnancy Discrimination Act: Prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
These laws can offer potential recourse if you feel mistreated at work.
Being a working parent is tough enough without facing discrimination. You deserve respect and fair treatment at work. By understanding your rights and speaking up, you can be a powerful advocate for yourself and your family.