An employer cannot refuse to hire or promote any employee simply because she is pregnant. Under the Minnesota Human Rights Act and Title 7 of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, an employee cannot be fired or forced to take a leave because of pregnancy. Benefits for Pregnant Women Employers are not required to provide benefits to their employees. An employer who provides paid vacation, health insurance, disability leave or insurance, personal or sick leave may not discriminate on the basis of pregnancy in offering those benefits. Employees who do not know their company's benefit policies should read their employee handbook or union contract, or ask a supervisor or the human resources office.
Some companies make disability leave available after sick leave is used up.
If an employer offers health insurance covering other medical conditions, the employer must cover the medical costs of pregnancy to the same extent. If the health insurance does not provide coverage for pregnancy, the employer must make up the difference.