This Act fills a gap in federal law to ensure pregnant workers receive accommodations (Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination, but does not explicitly guarantee accommodations).
The new guidance clarifies that workers with healthy pregnancies are also permitted to seek accommodations under the Act, and there is no threshold in terms of the severity of physical and/ or mental conditions for accommodation requests. Additionally, the Act includes a broad definition of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions including but not limited to lactation, miscarriages, and abortion.
The new guidance clarifies that workers with healthy pregnancies are also permitted to seek accommodations under the Act, and there is no threshold in terms of the severity of physical and/ or mental conditions for accommodation requests. Additionally, the Act includes a broad definition of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions including but not limited to lactation, miscarriages, and abortion.
Accommodations, which are temporary, may include altering an employee’s job duties by excusing the employee from strenuous activities and/or exposure to compounds/diseases not safe for pregnancy, by providing additional breaks to use the bathroom, eat, and rest, by providing closer parking, or by providing time off.
Please be mindful that accommodations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
