Pregnant and Fired in Tennessee: A Complete Guide to Your Rights and Options
Getting fired while pregnant feels overwhelming—you're already navigating physical and emotional changes, and now financial worry creeps in too. Just lost your job? You have more unplanned pregnancy options and protections than you realize.
Termination, layoffs, and forced resignations all create stress. Understanding what you're entitled to helps you move forward with confidence.
Unemployment benefits, legal protections, and adoption assistance can help with your financial situation. Several paths exist for both immediate relief and longer-term stability.
This guide walks you through legal protections, available assistance programs, and tools to help you make the best decisions for you and your growing family.
Is It Legal to Fire Someone for Being Pregnant in Tennessee?
Federal Laws Protect You
Pregnancy discrimination is illegal. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act shields women at companies with 15 or more employees from being fired due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
But here's the catch—employers in an at-will employment state can terminate workers for almost any reason. They just can't make it about your pregnancy. Proving the real reason behind your firing becomes tricky, especially when your boss gives other explanations.
Warning Signs of Pregnancy Discrimination at Work
Timing often tells the story. Termination, demotion, or sudden schedule changes shortly after sharing pregnancy news, mentioning doctor appointments, or requesting maternity leave raises legal questions.
Employment attorneys know what to look for: supervisors making comments about how pregnancy affects work performance, productivity, or reliability. When pregnant employees get treated differently than other workers who have similar medical conditions, that's a red flag.
Pay attention to accommodation requests. Did they refuse reasonable pregnancy accommodations—modified duties when you can't lift heavy objects, extra bathroom breaks, time off for prenatal visits, or temporarily moving you to a desk job? Were they willing to make similar accommodations for other employees' medical needs but not yours?
Sometimes employers try to hide discrimination behind vague explanations. Phrases like "not being a good fit," sudden "performance issues" that were never documented before, or restructuring that mainly affects pregnant workers—these cover up what's happening.
Steps to Take After Job Loss During Pregnancy
Documenting Pregnancy Discrimination Evidence After Termination
Start collecting everything right now. Emails, text messages, employee handbook pages, any written communications about your pregnancy or termination—save it all.
Write down the exact words used when you were fired. Who else was there? Document everything while it's fresh in your memory.
These records become your lifeline for legal action or unemployment claims under federal employment laws.
Apply for Tennessee Unemployment Benefits Immediately
Being pregnant doesn't disqualify you from getting unemployment compensation. File your claim within the first week through the Department of Labor and Workforce Development's online system at Jobs4TN.gov, or call 844-224-5818.
Show that you're able and available to work, even with pregnancy limitations. Benefits last up to 26 weeks, typically paying 50% of what you were making weekly, up to a maximum of $275 per week as of 2025.
Gather these documents: Social Security number, driver's license, employment history for the past 18 months, and your most recent pay stub. The state requires active job searching, though pregnancy may limit some options—document any work restrictions your healthcare provider gives you.
Filing EEOC Pregnancy Discrimination Complaints in Tennessee
Think your firing was related to pregnancy? File a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within 180 days of termination.
File online at eeoc.gov, call 1-800-669-4000, or visit the Nashville EEOC office at 50 Vantage Way, Suite 202. The EEOC investigates at no cost—they interview witnesses, review employment records, and determine whether discrimination occurred.
Even if you're not completely sure you have a case, talk to them. Employment discrimination attorneys often offer free initial consultations to help you understand how strong your claim is, what damages you could recover, and what legal options exist.
EEOC findings can support lawsuits in state court for damages, lost wages, and attorney fees.
Unemployment benefits solve the immediate problem—but what about the months ahead? There's something many women in your situation don't realize about their options.
Tennessee Pregnancy Rights and Workplace Protections
FMLA Rights for Pregnant Tennessee Employees Before Termination
Tennessee employees may qualify for job-protected pregnancy leave under federal FMLA laws. Eligible workers can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for pregnancy, childbirth, bonding with a newborn, or pregnancy-related medical conditions without losing their position.
Qualification requirements include working for your employer for at least 12 months, logging 1,250 hours during the previous 12 months, and employment at a company with 50 or more employees within 75 miles of your workplace. Many Tennessee workers don't realize they qualified for FMLA protection before termination.
FMLA covers serious pregnancy complications like severe morning sickness, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, bed rest requirements, and postpartum recovery. Employers must maintain health insurance coverage during approved leave and restore you to the same or equivalent position upon return.
ADA Pregnancy Accommodations Tennessee Employers Must Provide
Pregnancy conditions that substantially limit daily activities qualify for protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This includes accommodations like modified work schedules for medical appointments, temporary reassignment to lighter duties, additional bathroom breaks, or permission to sit or stand as needed.
If you requested accommodations and they were denied, or if they fired you instead of making reasonable changes to help you do your job, you have legal grounds to fight back.
Tennessee Courts and Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuits
While the state doesn't have additional pregnancy discrimination laws beyond federal requirements, local courts will hear cases involving violations of federal statutes. Wrongful termination claims based on violated federal laws are recognized and pursued here.
Understanding these protections could be the key to turning this challenging situation into an opportunity for a better future.
Financial Support for Pregnant Women Without Jobs
Losing your job while pregnant brings immediate concerns about money, but the state offers several financial assistance programs designed for pregnant women, regardless of current employment status.
TennCare, the state's Medicaid program, covers all prenatal care, delivery costs, and postpartum care at no cost if you qualify. Income limits for pregnant women are higher than regular Medicaid—up to 195% of the federal poverty level. Apply online at TennCare.gov or call 1-855-259-0701.
WIC program (Women, Infants, and Children) helps pregnant women based on income level, not job status. Benefits include healthy foods, nutrition counseling, breastfeeding help, and referrals to healthcare providers. WIC offices operate in all 95 counties—find locations at tn.gov/health/wic.
Emergency financial help is available: LIHEAP helps with energy bills, Community Action Agencies provide emergency rent assistance, and SNAP (food stamps) helps with groceries. Pregnant women often qualify for faster processing of these benefit applications.
Keeping Your Home
Emergency rental assistance and utility payment help operate through local Community Action Agencies throughout the state. The Housing Development Agency provides additional resources for expectant mothers facing housing problems.
Don't wait until bills start piling up. Many programs offer help before you find yourself in a tough spot.
Your Mental Health Matters
Losing work while expecting triggers anxiety, depression, and overwhelming stress. Free mental health resources exist through the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, including specialized counseling for pregnancy-related stress.
Community health centers provide sliding-scale mental health services. Professional help remains accessible regardless of your bank account balance.
Adoption Financial Support for Pregnant Women After Job Loss
What if there was a way to help with both your financial stability and your baby's future—while keeping the control and choice entirely in your hands? Adoption assistance might be something to consider.
Tennessee Law: Birth Mother Financial Assistance Through Adoption
State law allows birth mothers to receive financial help for pregnancy-related expenses through licensed adoption agencies. This assistance includes medical care, housing costs, food, utilities, maternity clothing, and reasonable living expenses during pregnancy and recovery periods.
Financial assistance varies based on individual circumstances but covers rent payments, grocery expenses, getting to medical appointments, phone bills, and other necessities. Tennessee adoption assistance is regulated by Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-1-128, which allows these payments without it being considered illegal baby-selling, as long as they're made through licensed agencies and properly documented.
This goes beyond just covering medical bills. Depending on what you're dealing with, adoption assistance helps with rent, utilities, groceries, maternity clothes, and living expenses during pregnancy and recovery—giving you some financial breathing room when facing money worries.
Open Adoption Contact Agreements in Tennessee
Modern adoption practices look very different from the closed adoptions that happened in previous decades. Open adoption arrangements allow ongoing contact with your child and their adoptive family throughout their life, if that feels right for everyone involved.
Communication options are flexible—anything from annual letters and photos to regular phone calls, text messages, emails, and in-person visits. Tennessee adoption law lets birth parents and adoptive families work out contact terms that make sense for their specific situation. These are often written down in post-adoption contact agreements so everyone knows what to expect.
Adoption involves real loss and grief that shouldn't be minimized. But it can also create an expanded family network and meaningful, lasting relationships.
Many birth parents maintain relationships with adoptive families, being part of graduations, birthdays, and other important milestones as extended family members. Some women find this path offers more than they initially expected, though every situation is different and should be carefully thought through with professional counseling.
Tennessee Adoption Agency Family Matching Process
Licensed adoption agencies in Tennessee keep databases of pre-approved adoptive families who have already completed home studies, background checks, and adoption education. As a birth parent, you get to review these family profiles and select who will parent your child.
You can think about things that matter to you: family values, lifestyle preferences, where they live, their parenting philosophy, how they prioritize education, and how much ongoing contact feels comfortable. Some birth parents prefer families who share similar cultural backgrounds, while others really value diversity or specific lifestyle choices that are important to them.
This matching process puts you in complete control of this huge decision. You're making an active choice about your child's future instead of letting tough circumstances make the decisions for you. Tennessee law requires what's called informed consent, which means you can't make final adoption decisions until after your baby is born. This ensures you have time to really think through all your options without pressure.
Getting Legal and Emotional Help
Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee, and West Tennessee Legal Services all provide employment law help for low-income residents. No fees, no upfront costs.
The State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service connecting you with employment discrimination specialists. Many offer free initial consultations to evaluate your case.
Nonprofit Organizations
Pregnancy Resource Centers operate throughout the state, offering free counseling, material assistance, and referrals. Major cities like Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga have multiple locations, plus smaller communities have coverage too.
The Department of Health maintains maternal and child health programs connecting you with local assistance, peer groups, and case management designed for expectant mothers in difficult situations.
Crisis Support
The stress of job loss while pregnant requires someone to talk to. The Crisis Line (1-855-274-7471) provides 24/7 emotional distress assistance.
Bethany Christian Services and Tennessee Children's Home offer confidential counseling specifically for pregnancy decisions. Available whether you're considering parenting, adoption, or just need someone who understands.
All these resources help, but making the right choice for your specific situation requires someone who truly understands what you're going through.
How We Support You at American Adoptions
Complete Care When You Need It
Job loss during pregnancy creates challenges that go far beyond making adoption decisions. Our care starts the moment you contact us and continues long after your baby arrives, providing stability when everything feels uncertain.
Free counseling with licensed social workers. Legal representation. Medical expense coverage. Financial assistance for living expenses. All designed to reduce stress so you can focus on making the best decisions for your future.
When you call, you're not committing to anything except getting honest answers to your questions. Many women say that first conversation gave them the clarity they needed.
Legal and Emotional Expertise
Our attorneys specialize in adoption law and can provide guidance about employment rights too. While adoption services remain our focus, we connect you with employment law attorneys for additional legal support regarding your termination.
Our licensed counselors understand the emotional complexity of job loss during pregnancy while considering adoption. Non-judgmental guidance whether you ultimately choose adoption or decide to parent, ensuring you have emotional resources during this period.
Your Advocate
Women facing unplanned pregnancies deserve empowerment and support, never pressure or rushed decisions. Our birth parent advocates work exclusively for you, ensuring your needs and wishes get respected throughout any process.
Need help navigating unemployment benefits? Finding temporary housing? Accessing healthcare? We can connect you with local programs and provide direct assistance to help stabilize your situation while you consider your options.
Next Steps for Pregnant Women Facing Job Loss in Tennessee
Lost your job while pregnant? You don't have to face this alone. Whether you're exploring legal options, seeking financial help, or wondering if adoption might provide the stability you need, support is here.
Call or text 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with a compassionate counselor who understands what you're going through. We're here to provide information and support—with no expectations and no judgment.
Your situation feels overwhelming now, but you possess more strength and more options than you realize. Take it one day at a time. Let us help you explore paths forward that feel right for you and your growing family.
Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.
