Pregnancy Discrimination & Job Assignments

When Job Assignments Suddenly Shift After Pregnancy

You expect your workload to change sometimes, but what happens when every change at work seems tied to your pregnancy?

Too often, employees in New York see their assignments quietly disappear, shrink, or shift once they disclose they’re expecting. It feels less like a business decision and more like being pushed aside. 

Our pregnancy discrimination attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, have helped countless workers take action when job assignments were stripped away or reassigned after pregnancy announcements. 

We know how to spot the difference between legitimate workplace changes and discriminatory practices meant to sideline employees. If your role has suddenly changed for reasons that don’t add up, call us at (855) 465-4622. We’ll make sure your job is protected and your contributions respected.

What the Law Says About Assignments

Federal and state laws are clear: pregnancy discrimination isn’t just about firings or pay cuts. It also includes changes in job duties and assignments that unfairly single out pregnant workers. 

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to treat pregnancy differently than other temporary conditions. That means if an employer reassigns you “for your own good” but wouldn’t do the same for someone recovering from another condition, they’re breaking the law.

New York strengthens these protections. Under the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL), it’s illegal to reduce responsibilities, take away opportunities, or sideline pregnant workers from meaningful assignments. 

Employers sometimes defend changes by saying they’re looking out for your health, but unless you asked for a change or a doctor ordered it, they’re overstepping. These laws exist so you don’t lose career opportunities just because you’re starting or growing a family.

Common Ways Assignments Are Manipulated

Pregnancy discrimination in assignments doesn’t always look blatant. Instead, it shows up in subtle shifts that leave you sidelined over time. Recognizing these signs is the first step toward fighting back.

• Losing key projects. Suddenly, important projects or clients are reassigned to others. You’re left with smaller, less impactful work that hurts your professional growth. Over time, this erodes your standing in the company.
• Being excluded from leadership roles. Pregnant employees are sometimes taken off management tracks, mentoring roles, or team leadership positions. These are opportunities that build careers, and losing them has lasting effects. Employers know this, yet they often frame it as “temporary.”
• Shift or schedule changes. Some workers are reassigned to less desirable shifts or roles under the guise of helping them. In reality, these changes may cut hours or reduce visibility. When it’s not requested, it’s often a red flag.
• Assignments meant to pressure. Employers may assign tedious or physically demanding tasks, hoping the employee will quit. This is retaliation disguised as work, and it’s just as unlawful as a demotion.

“Protective” Excuses Employers Use

Employers rarely admit to discrimination outright. Instead, they frame job assignment changes as protective or supportive. It sounds caring on the surface, but it often hides unlawful bias.

Some say they’re reassigning duties because they’re worried about your safety. Others argue they don’t want to “overburden” you, even when you never asked for help. These justifications may seem thoughtful, but when they limit your growth, they cross into discrimination. 

In New York, unless your doctor provided restrictions, employers cannot decide for you what you can or cannot handle. Courts often look closely at whether these “protections” were really just a way to sideline pregnant workers.

How Assignment Changes Impact Careers

It’s not just about the day-to-day work. Assignment shifts can damage your career long-term. Losing visibility, being excluded from important tasks, or being pushed into less valuable roles leaves scars that last long after maternity leave ends.

• Loss of advancement. Missing big assignments means missing the chance to prove your abilities. Promotions are often tied to visibility, and being sidelined creates a false picture of disinterest.
• Reduced pay and bonuses. Some assignments come with performance bonuses or extra compensation. Taking those away hurts your paycheck, not just your résumé. Employers know this but may pretend the impact is minimal.
• Skill stagnation. Being placed on repetitive, low-value tasks prevents you from developing new skills. This lack of growth can harm your long-term prospects, even if your job technically stays the same.
• Reputation damage. Colleagues may assume you’re less capable when you’re left out of big projects. That perception follows you, even if the decision was entirely the employer’s.

Legal Options When Assignments Change

If your assignments are changed because of pregnancy, you have options under both state and federal law.

 You can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the New York Division of Human Rights. These agencies investigate claims of discrimination and can force employers to correct unlawful behavior.

In many cases, employees also choose to pursue lawsuits in state or federal court. Remedies can include reinstating lost assignments, recovering lost pay, and even damages for the stress and career setbacks caused. 

Having employment law legal representation helps you decide which path makes the most sense for your situation. The important part is not to wait. Deadlines apply, and employers will use delay as a defense if you give them the chance.

Why Acting Quickly Strengthens Your Case

The law gives you time to act, but waiting is risky. Pregnancy discrimination claims under New York law typically have a three-year statute of limitations, while EEOC claims tied to the PDA require filing within 300 days. 

• Evidence is fresher. Emails, project records, and assignment logs are easier to obtain when you act quickly. Delay gives employers time to “lose” or destroy evidence.
• Witnesses remember more. Coworkers can testify about sudden changes, but memories fade. The sooner you act, the clearer their statements will be.
• Employers prepare defenses. If you wait, companies start creating justifications for their actions. Filing early cuts off that preparation.
• Reduces retaliation risk. Quick action signals you won’t tolerate discrimination. Employers are less likely to continue mistreatment when they know you’ve already taken legal steps.

Why Client-Focused Legal Support Is Essential

Facing assignment-based discrimination is exhausting, and it’s not something you should handle alone. Employers often hide behind polished policies and seasoned HR teams. 

Having a trustworthy pregnancy discrimination attorney means having someone who knows how to break through that and uncover the truth. Our team at Horn Wright, LLP, has fought for workers in New York, New Jersey, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont whose roles were cut back or altered unfairly during pregnancy.

We understand the laws, the strategies employers use, and the emotional toll this takes. If you’re ready to push back, we’re ready to protect your rights. Your assignments should reflect your skills, not your pregnancy, and we’ll fight to make sure that’s the case.