Published on May 25, 2009 by Donna Seale
The Ontario Human Rights Commission has released an update of its Policy on Discrimination Because of Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. The update incorporates, among other things, new legal cases relating to pregnancy and pregnancy-related discrimination in employment, services and housing. You'll see from the Table of Contents, that the Policy covers a lot of ground, including:
- Code Protections for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- Pregnancy and Intersecting Grounds under the Code (describes how a woman may experience discrimination due to pregnancy differently based on other aspects of her identity such as her age or ethnicity);
- Pregnancy and Family Status
- Pregnancy and Domestic Abuse
- Examples of Discrimination based on pregnancy and breastfeeding such as:
- discrimination based on negative attitudes and stereotypes;
- subtle discrimination;
- harassment or poisoned environments;
- systemic discrimination;
- failure to accommodate
- Employment and Pregnancy
- Pregnancy and pregnancy-related legislation and protections beyond the Human Rights Code;
- Discrimination in hiring, promotions, transfers and terminations
- The Duty to accommodate pregnancy and pregnancy-related characteristics
Although this is an Ontario-based policy, the concepts discussed have universal application. As a result, I'd consider it recommended reading for all Canadian employers.
Related posts:
- Manitoba Human Rights Commission seeking input from nursing mothers
- Pregnancy discrimination in the workplace still a very live issue
- Disability complaints still dominate Manitoba Human Rights Commission's case load
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