In today’s society, workplace discrimination is a growing phenomenon that needs to be addressed extensively. MotherWoman, a statewide organization, supports and empowers mothers to create personal and social change by building community safety nets, impacting family policy and promoting the leadership and resilience of mothers (MotherWoman). The article, Fight For Workplace Equity for Women: Mothers Break Their Silence, written by MotherWoman for Huffington Post, addresses the issue of workplace discrimination against pregnant women in Massachusetts with the use of personal stories to support their claim. This approach elevates the message that is being passed across to the readers.
Discrimination is a vast term and can be defined as differential …show more content…
The author of The Price of Motherhood, Ann Crittenden, brought about the term “The Mommy Tax” in 2001 to explain the consequences of losing a job because of being pregnant. Crittenden states, “The reduced earnings of mothers are, in effect, a heavy personal tax levied on people who care for children, or for any other department family members. The tax levied being a ‘mommy tax’ (Crittenden 343).” This was from her very own personal experience where she left her job of eight years as an economics reporter at the New York Times and was paid roughly $50,000 annually. But as she took the time off to attend to the needs of her child, her annual income from freelance writing averaged roughly around $15,000 and estimated to lose around $600,000 to $700,000 had she not left her job and worked for another fifteen years (Crittenden 343). This is very similar to the situation in Massachusetts and many other places around the world. Women lose their jobs simply because they are pregnant and cannot work in the same conditions as workers who are not pregnant. Are they too paying a mommy tax? Yes, they are. This is because they are left redundant and have no assured income to support their family. They will have to look for jobs similar to what Crittenden did and this may reduce their average annual income by a large …show more content…
But it was not until recently in July 2015 that they let go of their fear and stood up for their rights at the Massachusetts State House where they shared their intimate stories in favor of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). This Act was passed successfully because of the support of Baystate, a large-scale private company and a premiere provider of women’s health services along MotherWoman’s Friedman and other women of power by offering their testimonies to the legislative committee and making it a significant endorsement. This is a large contribution to the lives of many pregnant women as they were protected by the PWFA along with the advantages of more frequent or longer breaks, seating, light duty, modified work schedules and mainly, protection against not being fired for being pregnant. To conclude, MotherWoman, spreads awareness of workplace discrimination against pregnant women with the use of personal stories and introduces the people of power who have contributed to ending the sorrow of many pregnant working women in Massachusetts. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act benefits the welfare of working pregnant women who strive hard to earn income and are treated fairly especially at the time they need it the most. Now pregnant women can work in a less hazardous and a more flexible environment without the fear of losing their
Discrimination is a vast term and can be defined as differential …show more content…
The author of The Price of Motherhood, Ann Crittenden, brought about the term “The Mommy Tax” in 2001 to explain the consequences of losing a job because of being pregnant. Crittenden states, “The reduced earnings of mothers are, in effect, a heavy personal tax levied on people who care for children, or for any other department family members. The tax levied being a ‘mommy tax’ (Crittenden 343).” This was from her very own personal experience where she left her job of eight years as an economics reporter at the New York Times and was paid roughly $50,000 annually. But as she took the time off to attend to the needs of her child, her annual income from freelance writing averaged roughly around $15,000 and estimated to lose around $600,000 to $700,000 had she not left her job and worked for another fifteen years (Crittenden 343). This is very similar to the situation in Massachusetts and many other places around the world. Women lose their jobs simply because they are pregnant and cannot work in the same conditions as workers who are not pregnant. Are they too paying a mommy tax? Yes, they are. This is because they are left redundant and have no assured income to support their family. They will have to look for jobs similar to what Crittenden did and this may reduce their average annual income by a large …show more content…
But it was not until recently in July 2015 that they let go of their fear and stood up for their rights at the Massachusetts State House where they shared their intimate stories in favor of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). This Act was passed successfully because of the support of Baystate, a large-scale private company and a premiere provider of women’s health services along MotherWoman’s Friedman and other women of power by offering their testimonies to the legislative committee and making it a significant endorsement. This is a large contribution to the lives of many pregnant women as they were protected by the PWFA along with the advantages of more frequent or longer breaks, seating, light duty, modified work schedules and mainly, protection against not being fired for being pregnant. To conclude, MotherWoman, spreads awareness of workplace discrimination against pregnant women with the use of personal stories and introduces the people of power who have contributed to ending the sorrow of many pregnant working women in Massachusetts. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act benefits the welfare of working pregnant women who strive hard to earn income and are treated fairly especially at the time they need it the most. Now pregnant women can work in a less hazardous and a more flexible environment without the fear of losing their