This year in the U.S., the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued final regulations to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), a new federal law that requires the federal government as well as private, state, and local employers with 15 or more employees to accommodate all health needs at work arising from pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions. The authors, who have counseled and trained hundreds of employees, businesses, and attorneys on the new law, outline what leaders need to know to support their pregnant workers while avoiding unnecessary EEOC charges and litigation.
The ground rules of pregnancy accommodation have recently shifted significantly. In April, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued final regulations to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), a new federal law that requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.