Last week, my wife told her employer that she was pregnant. This week, she got laid off. She was told because of cut backs - but this seems suspicious to me. Is there anything we can do?

The Employment Standards Code says that an employer cannot terminate an employee who is on maternity or parental leave, unless the employer suspends or discontinues the business. Your wife may have a complaint under human rights legislation although she will probably have to provide some evidence that the lay-off is connected to her pregnancy.

For more information, contact the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission at (780) 427-7661 in Edmonton or (403) 297-6571 in Calgary. To call toll-free from other Alberta locations, first dial 310-0000. You can also visit the Commission’s website. There you will find the interpretive bulletins Rights and Responsibilities Related to Pregnancy, Childbirth and Adoption and Duty to Accommodate.

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