Final answer:
Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, it is illegal and unethical to give an employee an involuntary leave of absence due to pregnancy. This law safeguards women's rights in the workplace and prohibits any form of discrimination based on pregnancy, including forced leaves of absence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether a technologist or any employee should be given an involuntary leave of absence due to pregnancy ties into laws that prohibit discrimination against women in the workplace. It is clear from historical context and current legislation that such an action would be illegal and unethical, reflecting a longtime struggle for women's rights at work.
During the 1950s and 1960s, there was significant societal resistance to the idea of maternity leave, and employers often dismissed pregnant women, which hindered their career progression and reinforced the stereotype that female employment was temporary. This led to a strategic push by women and their advocates, culminating in the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, which made it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of pregnancy when it comes to any aspect of employment.
This includes forcing women into an involuntary leave of absence due to pregnancy. That would contravene the protections afforded to them not just ethically but legally as well. Therefore, under nearly all scenarios, no technologist should be compelled to take an unwanted leave due to pregnancy, as it would be a violation of their rights under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.