PLEASE HELP! Info on pregnancy and job laws needed

[AmamaAgain]

PLEASE HELP!! I know it's long, but please help! I don't know what to do. I am a mother of a 7 year old and 5 months pregnant. My boyfriend of 5 years recently ditched us so I can not count too much on him. I have been working for the past year as a program coordinator for a non profit organization (Boys and Girls Club).

I have been getting paid out of two separate places. 70% of my money has been coming from a grant (which I didn't know when I was hired) and the other 30% directly from the club. I have been an EXCELLENT worker. I get paid well and am truly over qualified for my position. I can honestly say that my qualifications or more than even my superiors. Well...I am 5 months pregnant and two weeks ago I was told that my position was in jeopardy because the club lost the grant (ending june 26) that I was getting 70% of my pay from. Then my supervisor told me last week that she had a new position for me as a supervisor for the summer program. I asked again yesterday and I was told that they weren't sure yet what positions were going to be available for the summer because they didn't realize that I am getting paid under "that" grant.

So they have be hiring all new staff over the past two weeks for summer positions and offering positions to ALL but like 2 of the other staff who are already there. I KNOW they think that I'm a great worker etc...but I KNOW that they are not giving me a summer position because I'm pregnant and they don't want to have to pay me a lot where as they can pay everyone else low.

So! Today I asked again for them to be honest with me. They told me my last day would be June 26th (basically because I'm funded partially through that grant that they lost). I don't know what I can do. Though I have degrees and great capabilities, nobody wants to hire me for only 3-4 months knowing that I'm pregnant. I am a single mom with 1500/month in rent and will be unemployed in 3 weeks. Please give me any suggestions. Can I do anything. Try to sue them or something for basically re-hiring under other funding everyone else but not me for the summer because of my pregnant state.
I don't even think I can get unemployment because I only work 30 hours a week. Do I have any options as far as what to do with this ending job? I don't want to just roll over and be stuck unemployed and them not having any consequences for just doing that to me.

[xixstar]

I'm sorry to hear about your situation -- having worked primarily non-profit with similar grant funded positions, I understand that predicament. It is very unfortunate that your position is ending, but there is little you can do about that - though unemployment benefits should be available, even if you were working part time, as long as you're able to work (not sure what impact birth will have) - note: I know very little about unemployment, this is just my general understanding.

However, you can't be discriminated against based on your pregnancy status in consideration for other jobs. You might look at an employment attorney but you'll need to show that they are being specifically excluded from offers from other positions because of your pregnancy. I would specifically apply for any new positions that are open and accepting applications, this way your organization fully understand that you're looking to continue working there. If they are hiring for new positions, the funding of your current position shouldn't matter at all - new positions would be funded differently. I would probably take that as a sign of them trying to get out of keeping you because of the upcoming birth. You could also let them know that you're aware of laws regarding discrimination against pregnant employees - but that could go over very poorly and I would talk to an employment attorney before saying anything.

Other courses of action will be to look for other employment, which won't be easy because while employers can't use pregnancy as a reason to not hire you, I'm sure it happens all the time. Since summer is coming up and you mentioned having 3-4 months left, you may be able to look at several short-time opportunities as options as well.

Also, I'd start making some serious emergency financial planning and seeing where you can cut as much as possible from your spending now and start putting money into savings to help you get through until the employment situation resolves itself.

Good luck, I know this is very stressful situation to be in and I've been there time and again and truly believe that something will come up and things will work out somehow.

[chichona]

I lost my job do to 'health restrictions' about a month ago, so I can simpathize. Even if you were only working 30 hours a week you can still qualify for unemployment based on how much of the last two years you worked. Unemployment insureance also bases your checks based on how much you were making in the last two years at your job. I am having hard time looking for a job with a belly, maybe you can look for something seasonal? A summer job would only be for 3 months or so anyways. Hope it helps!

[AmamaAgain]

I'm going to file in the morning the the EEOC a complaint. I just have too many hormones flowing right now to allow me to just let them get away with this!

[diamond lil]

What state do you live in? Illinois is an "at will" state, so you can quit for any reason and your employer can fire you for any reason.

Your case is is going to be tough to prove because the program lost its funding. You may end up spending more in legal costs than it is worth. If I were you, I would focus 100% of my efforts on finding a new job than trying to fight my soon-to-be-ex employer.

Apply for rent assistance, WIC and food stamps now, if you haven't already.

Good luck to you!