Pregnancy discrimination is against the law. The EEOC enforces three federal laws that protect job applicants and employees who are pregnant.It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Protect Your Rights in the Workplace. As a pregnant employee in California, state and federal laws protect your rights against discrimination. California Pregnancy Discrimination: The Ultimate Survival Guide. Our experienced pregnancy discrimination lawyers explain what you should know. Pregnant workers should be aware that there are a number of federal and California state laws that protect the employment rights of pregnant employees. No employer can discriminate against a job applicant or current worker based on their pregnancy status. Under the PDA, employers with 15 or more employees are prohibited from engaging in pregnancy discrimination.