Today, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it will begin accepting charges of discrimination under the new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The PWFA requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to a worker’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation will cause the employer an undue hardship. This law builds upon existing protections against pregnancy discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, as well as the Family and Medical Leave Act and the PUMP (Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers) Act.
The EEOC has provided informational resources about the PWFA for workers and employers.
If you have questions about the PWFA and its potential impact on your workplace, please contact Johnson & Bell Employment Shareholders, Christopher J. Carlos or Caroline K. Vickrey.
