An employer cannot refuse to hire women for certain jobs, unless there is some reason that only men can perform the job. An employer can have a rule about height or weight or strength that is related to job performance. Sarah wants to be the first female police officer in her town. She is rejected because the police have a rule that an officer must be five feet eight inches tall, and she is only five four. If the height rule is unrelated to any job qualification, it is unlawful.
Pregnancy discrimination is a form of sex discrimination.
The employer cannot discriminate against a woman because of pregnancy, childbirth or any related condition as long as she is able to perform the major functions of the job. Grace is told she must quit her work as a secretary when she is six months pregnant. Grace is six months pregnant, but feels fine and hasn't missed a day of work. She wants to return to work when her baby is three months old, but her employer says that he thinks a mother should stay home with her child until the child is in preschool and will not let her return. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination.