Logo image
A Qualitative Study Describing Experiences of Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace
Journal article   Peer reviewed

A Qualitative Study Describing Experiences of Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace

Jaclyn D Borrowman, Mackenzie Unke, Melissa Jones and Kara M Whitaker
Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, Vol.66(8), pp.e338-e342
08/2024
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003136
PMID: 38729198

View Online

Abstract

Qualitatively assess experiences of occupational pregnancy discrimination. A fully remote phenomenological qualitative study was completed leveraging semi-structured interviews with a sample of pregnant employees in the US. Inclusion criteria included being pregnant, working at least 35 hours/week, employed at least one year at current employer, and without diagnosed depression/anxiety. Participants (N = 20) were on average 30 years of age, worked 42.6 hours per week, self-identified as non-Hispanic black (50%) and earned least a bachelor's degree (85%). Individuals successfully identified various forms of pregnancy discrimination, believing it occurred due to systemic issues or perceptions that women are weak. Most did not report experiences of discrimination fearing retaliation or being unaware of workplace protections. Pregnancy discrimination in the workplaces comes in various forms and is an issue for some working pregnant individuals.
Discrimination Pregnancy child health maternal health occupation

Details

Logo image