New Law In Effect?
On June 27th, a new law went into effect protecting the rights of pregnant employees. Listed under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, this allows for more workplace accommodations in relation to pregnant employees. We've broken it all down for you here.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE PWFA
"The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is a new law that 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.”
The PWFA applies only to accommodations. Existing laws that the EEOC enforces make it illegal to fire or otherwise discriminate against workers on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. The PWFA does not replace federal, state, or local laws that are more protective of workers affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. More than 30 states and cities have laws that provide accommodations for pregnant workers." Learn more
NEW PROTECTIONS
"The PWFA creates a legal obligation for employers to grant reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers. Under the new law, which will not go into effect until June 2023, employers with 15 or more employees will be required to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified employees and job applicants with temporary physical or mental limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions.
Employees and applicants are qualified if they, with or without a reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the employment position. An individual is still qualified if the inability to perform an essential function is for a temporary period, the essential function could be performed in the near future, and the inability to perform the essential function can be reasonably accommodated." Learn more
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