Can my wife be fired because she has pregnancy limitations?

My wife works as an RN at a local hospital and recently told them that her doctor put limitations on what she can do at work i.e. lifting heavy things because she is pregnant. She is still able to do the majority of her job just fine, and wants to. When she told them of her doctor's prescribed limitations, they said that she may be terminated. I thought that a company is required to be accommodating, like finding a less labor-some department if an employee has limitations. I just want to know if anyone has any information on this subject.

She was hired before she got pregnant. Like almost every pregnancy though, this was not planned (a blessing, but not planned). She did tell them that she was pregnant before this situation and they were aware of it.

She is still on her probationary period. I don't know if that makes any difference. I don't think so because the fact is that it is still discriminating on the fact that she is pregnant and has doctor ordered limitations. At my work, they put people in these situations on "light work duty" so they can still earn an income and keep their benefits which we will really need when the baby is born.

I don't elieve that she can be, but I'd check with your local DHS (Department of human services) to see if it doesn break the law.

The short answer is yes she can be fired, but she has a legal remedy for the firing. Go to your state's website and search statutory law for "pregnancy discrimination" or "pregnancy work firing" or some other similar search term.

Your wife is an Registered nurse? or just acting as one?? If she is fully qualified, they should be grateful to employ her! I thought there was a shortage of nurses!!! As an RN, if I am not mistaken, she should be supervising the LVN's etc, and only do any heavy lifting if absolutedly necessary! She could work in the nursery, babies don't weigh that much, and as far as her probationary period, how many other nurses are running around pregnant!?? I am quite sure they can put her in a position where she can be of value to the hospital without letting her go!! Who is the hard hearted Hannah who is proposing that they fire her!? Check with the Labor board as soon as possible. If she is capable of working full time,maybe with some restriction on lifting, and they refuse to keep her on, she could possibly draw unemployment compemsation. I don't know how long her probationary period is, but tell her to hang in there as long as she can! Besides! when I have been in the hospital, there were always two nurses there to turn me over! Usually, log rolling!! They are supposed to be nurses, not weight lifters!!