The significance of the Pregnancy Discrimination Title VII Civil Rights Act of 1964 is to protect those employees who are out because of child birth, pregnancy, or other related medical conditions. Those employees should be treated fairly as those who are similar in their ability/inability to work. Those employees that have healthcare benefits must cover those related expenses. If an employee is not able to perform their usual job duties based on their pregnancy, an employer must provide reasonable working conditions, such as light duty or modified task.
I have not experienced any pregnancy discrimination or had friends or coworkers who have. But if I knew of anyone in that particular situation I would advise them to reach out to their human resource department, the EEOC, and that individuals should refer to their employee manual.
Reaching out to your manager would be the first option, and if he/she did not handle the issue appropriately, the next step should be your human resource department.
I believe that all applicants have the right to apply for vacant positions, however; I also believe that employers have to protect themselves based on the severity of the position. For example, a pregnant woman should not lift more than 10 pounds, to protect themselves from possible miscarriages.
Reference:
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of (1978).