Frowning on Baby Bumps in the Workplace: "... The biggest surprise from this research is that pregnancy discrimination not only negatively impacts the mother, but negatively impacts the baby she is carrying while experiencing the discrimination....".

• Author: Eckert, Eric M.
• Position: BUSINESS & FINANCE

PERCEIVED pregnancy discrimination indirectly relates to increased levels of postpartum depressive symptoms for mothers and lower birth weights, lower gestational ages, and increased numbers of doctor visits for babies, according to a management study--led by researchers at Baylor University, Waco, Texas--published in the Journal of Applied Psychology.

"Despite being illegal, pregnancy discrimination still takes place in the workplace," says lead author Kaylee Hackney, assistant professor of management in the School of Business. "Obviously, this is troublesome. Our research highlights the negative impact that perceived pregnancy discrimination can have on both the mother's and the baby's health."

The researchers surveyed 252 pregnant employees over the course of two studies. They measured perceived pregnancy discrimination, perceived stress, demographics, and postpartum depressive symptoms. The second study included the measurements of the babies' health outcomes, including gestational age (number of weeks of pregnancy when the baby was delivered), Apgar score (heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, reflex response, and color), birth weight, and visits to the doctor.

Sample survey statements and questions included: "Prejudice toward pregnant workers exists where I work," "In the last month, how often have you felt nervous or stressed?," and "I am so unhappy that I cry." Mothers also logged their babies' health outcomes.

"I think the biggest surprise from this research is that pregnancy discrimination not only negatively impacts the mother, but negatively impacts the baby she is carrying while experiencing the discrimination," Hackney notes. "This just shows the far-reaching implications of workplace discrimination and highlights the importance of addressing it."

The study notes that, over the last decade, more than 50,000 pregnancy discrimination claims were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Fair Employment Practices Agencies in the U.S.

Pregnancy discrimination is defined as unfavorable treatment of women at work due to pregnancy, childbirth, or medical conditions...