New York City has launched new city guidelines to protect pregnant women from being discriminated against in public venues, particularly in Big Apple bars.
As most mamas will attest, being pregnant can attract a great deal of unwanted advice, particularly when it comes to drinking alcohol.
If a waiter has ever refused you service because of your baby bump, New York officials want to make sure it never happens again; the city’s Human Rights Commission has released new rules making it illegal to discriminate against pregnant customers.
As the Associated Press reports, a bar tender can no longer stick their oar in when it comes to the health decisions of others. Effective immediately, pregnant women are free to enjoy an after-work drink or have a glass of wine with dinner without enduring an awkward exchange with a sanctimonious stranger.
The Commission’s new guidelines state:
“Judgments and stereotypes about how pregnant individuals should behave, their physical capabilities and what is or is not healthy for a fetus are pervasive in our society and cannot be used as pretext for unlawful discriminatory decisions.”
The new guidelines are part of an effort to improve conditions for pregnant women in general, including at work, where they recommend small, reasonable allowances, like being allowed to eat at your desk and sit in a decent chair, should be mandatory.
Do you think the new guidelines are necessary? Have you ever been refused service at a bar because you were pregnant? Let us know on Twitter @HerFamilydotie.
