Home FAQs What is Workplace Discrimination Against Single Mothers?
By Ricotta & Marks, P.C. on August 20th, 2021 in
What is Workplace Discrimination Against Single Mothers? Many employees face discrimination in the workplace because of their race, age, disability, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Others are discriminated against because of their marital or family status. This is especially true for single mothers.
Many single mothers are in their situation because they are divorced or widowed. These women are often hardworking and dedicated to their jobs. However, employers often see single mothers as negative influences on the company instead of valuable assets. Many employers make unfair assumptions about single mothers. They may think they lack commitment to their jobs and focus more on their children. Instead of communicating with single mothers about their goals and schedules, they demote them, turn them down for promotions, and even terminate them unjustly.
Juggling work and family is challenging enough. Many single mothers, even ambitious ones, must also face discrimination in the workplace. According to a study, a woman with children was 79% less likely to be hired than a childless one. A mother receives, on average, $11,000 less in salary and is held to higher performance standards.
This discrimination, called maternal wall bias, can stall their career, making them unable to move forward. Because they cannot get a pay raise, it can be difficult for a woman to support her children. They may be forced to work multiple jobs or find a better-paying one.
Under state and federal laws, employers are required to make reasonable accommodations for parents. This may include a more convenient shift or extra time off for family issues, such as a sick child. At the very least, the employer should communicate with the employee and not simply assume that the employee will have ongoing special needs simply because she is a parent.
How Single Mothers can Protect Themselves
In the past, single mothers had just gone with the flow, not making any waves. However, with workplace discrimination cases getting more attention in recent years, judges are more likely to favor discriminated employees in court cases. In fact, approximately two-thirds of employees will prevail at trial. These family responsibilities lawsuits have also grown by 400% between 1998 and 2008. When employers fail to follow the law, they can end up paying dearly. In some cases, the awards top $1 million, which can include economic, emotional, and punitive damages.
Women can protect themselves by looking for biases in the workplace. These would include assuming that female workers prefer being home with their families rather than working or assuming that a woman’s family responsibilities will make it more difficult for her to succeed in the workplace.
Some examples of discrimination single mothers may face include:
- Being fired because they are pregnant or will take maternity leave.
- Not being flexible with the work schedules of single parents, while giving flexible schedules to employees without children.
- Not being promoted simply because they have children.
- Lying about performance issues in order to justify the dismissal of employees who are single mothers
Contact a New York Discrimination Lawyer
Many single mothers are hard workers, but some employers do not see it that way. They see single mothers as incapable of making a commitment to work. They deny them for promotions and raises, making it hard for these parents to succeed.
If you have faced discrimination from your employer simply because you are a single parent, the attorneys at Ricotta & Marks, P.C. can take action on your behalf. Schedule a free consultation by calling our office today at (347) 464-8694.
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FAQs
Some examples of discrimination single mothers may face include:
- Being fired because they are pregnant or will take maternity leave.
- Not being flexible with the work schedules of single parents, while giving flexible schedules to employees without children.
- Not being promoted simply because they have children.
Report discrimination to a local Fair Employment Practices Agency (FEPA). If the discrimination breaks both a state and federal law, the FEPA will also send your complaint to the EEOC. Use the EEOC's directory of field offices to find the FEPA near you.
Can employers discriminate against single parents? ›
Federal Discrimination Law
Single parents are not a protected class under federal law specifically. However, the employer cannot ask you if you are married during a job interview.
How to respond to a discrimination claim? ›
The notice may ask you to provide a response to the charge (a "position statement"). This is your opportunity to explain why the claims in the charge are incorrect or not illegal. The EEOC encourages you to raise in your position statement any factual or legal defenses that you believe are applicable.
How are working mothers discriminated against in the workplace? ›
This type of discrimination takes the form of comments like “Don't you feel bad leaving your kids at home?”; assumptions about mothers' lack of commitment to work or inability to handle a tougher load; and blatant differences in salary and promotional opportunities.
What is the primary problem faced by single mothers? ›
Financial instability
One of the biggest challenges of being a single parent is financial instability. Raising a child is expensive, from paying for childcare to buying food and clothing. Doing it alone makes the costs seem overwhelming at times. Unexpected medical bills or car repairs can wipe out savings quickly.
What are the two ways to prove discrimination? ›
Wronged employees have three ways of proving their employers intended to discriminate: circ*mstantial evidence, direct evidence, and pattern and practice. Circ*mstantial evidence is evidence that proves a fact by inference, as opposed to direct evidence which directly proves a fact.
What are three things that an employer cannot discriminate against? ›
Under the laws enforced by EEOC, it is illegal to discriminate against someone (applicant or employee) because of that person's race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
How does HR handle discrimination? ›
Investigation and Resolution: Once a report is received, HR conducts a thorough investigation. This involves interviewing the parties involved, gathering evidence, and assessing the situation impartially. If the investigation confirms the occurrence of discrimination, HR takes appropriate action.
What is status as a parent discrimination in the workplace? ›
While the state recognizes that being a parent is a fundamental aspect of many people's lives, being a parent is not a protected class the way marital status is. As such, it is not illegal for employers to discriminate against employees or job applicants based on their role as parents alone.
Evidence you can upload
Proof of being a single parent, like a recent: Child Tax Credit letter. Council Tax bill. full birth certificate (not the extract) for a school-age or younger child in your household.
Is it illegal to discriminate against mothers? ›
The first law is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which is called “Title VII.” It prohibits sex discrimination, including pregnancy discrimination.
How do you answer a discrimination question? ›
You could respond by saying something like “My personal life will not interfere with my professional responsibilities.” Leave the Interview. If you feel the interviewer is asking an inappropriate or discriminatory question, you can refuse to answer the question and excuse yourself from the interview.
How do you respond to unfair treatment at work? ›
How To Handle Unfair Treatment At Work
- What is Unfair Treatment in the Workplace? ...
- Step One: Document EVERYTHING. ...
- Step Two: File a Complaint with Your Company's HR Department. ...
- Step Three: Call an Employment Lawyer. ...
- Step Four: Contact Your State's Employment Commission. ...
- Step Five: Contact the EEOC.
How to file an HR complaint
- Assess the situation. ...
- Document the situation. ...
- Review your company's procedures. ...
- Provide specific and factual information. ...
- Offer supporting information or documents. ...
- Follow up with HR. ...
- Escalate the situation as needed.
The Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of sex, which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.
What is an example of parental status discrimination? ›
Some of the most common examples of this parental status discrimination include:
- Terminating employees who are pregnant or have asked for time off on account of maternity;
- Refusing to promote women who are pregnant or have children at home;
Pregnancy discrimination
- selection for redundancy because of your pregnancy or pregnancy-related illness,
- refusing to extend your contract during or after a probation period,
- dismissal because of pregnancy or non-renewal of a fixed-term contract,
- refusal of a job offer, training or promotion opportunities,
Singlism refers to the stereotyping, stigmatization, and discrimination against people who are not married. Matrimania is the over-celebration and hyping-up of marriages, relationships, and weddings. Perceived discrimination can have a strong effect on mental and physical health.
