Here's a win for working mothers: the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) goes into effect on June 27, 2023! The PWFA is a federal law that helps pregnant, postpartum and pumping workers keep their jobs and protect their health.
The PWFA was passed in response to the fact that many pregnant workers were being denied reasonable accommodations, such as modified work schedules, lighter lifting restrictions, and access to lactation rooms. The law is designed to ensure that pregnant workers have the same rights as workers with disabilities to a safe and healthy workplace.
The PWFA is a federal law that requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. The law applies to all employers with 15 or more employees. It covers all aspects of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, and pay.
To be considered a reasonable accommodation, the change must be necessary for the pregnant worker to perform her job duties. It must also be effective in mitigating the effects of her pregnancy-related limitations.
Examples of reasonable accommodations include:
Employers are not required to provide accommodations that would cause an undue hardship. An undue hardship is a significant difficulty or expense that would fundamentally alter the nature or operation of the employer's business.
Check out the Know Your Rights page from the non-profit A Better Balance to learn more about how to ask your employer for these accomodations. You have the right to a safe and healthy workplace.
If you are a pregnant worker and you believe that your employer has not provided you with a reasonable accommodation, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC is a federal agency that enforces laws prohibiting employment discrimination. You can also contact your state's fair employment practices agency.
Remember, this law is one of the biggest wins for working women in decades, but it only helps people if they know about it. Please spread the word!