Under the Civil Rights Act of 1978, as amended, and several other federal laws, employers with 15 or more employees cannot fire an employee because she is pregnant. Employers must also allow pregnant employees to continue working as long as they are able to work. Furthermore, employers cannot exclude job applicants because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related circumstances. However, pregnant employees can be fired if there is a valid reason for dismissal, such as poor performance, negligence, or insubordination.