Emma's employer is treating her badly because she's pregnant, so it's pregnancy and maternity discrimination. Example. Shockingly, pregnant women and mothers report more discrimination and poor treatment at work now than they did a decade ago.The law says that it is pregnancy discrimination to treat a woman unfavourably because of her pregnancy or pregnancy-related illness. Maternity discrimination is the unfair and unjust actions and behaviours against employees who are pregnant or on maternity leave. Pregnancy discrimination is against the law. The EEOC enforces three federal laws that protect job applicants and employees who are pregnant. Pregnancy discrimination is, unfortunately, a common problem in the workplace.