Discrimination against you because you are pregnant violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Your boss cannot make a rule about how long you must stay out of work before or after childbirth. If your company does not offer sick leave, then it may be discriminating against pregnant workers. For example, if your company lets a worker go who had a heart attack or broken leg on paid or unpaid disability leave, you must also have this right if you are unable to work because of pregnancy or childbirth. If your pregnancy stops you from being able to do your job, you have the right to be given easier duties, if other workers who can't do their jobs for a short time get this right.
Many States have equal employment opportunity laws that protect against pregnancy discrimination.
In addition, the States of California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico also pay partial wages during time off from work for medical problems, including those of pregnancy. Some employers, especially larger companies, also offer this type of insurance. Check your benefits. A new law, the Family and Medical Leave Act, gives you added protections. It went into effect on August 5, 1993.