The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), enacted in December 2022, is a federal law that provides pregnant and postpartum workers with the right to reasonable accommodation at work. With this law in place, pregnant workers can now continue working and supporting their families without risking their health or the health of their pregnancies.
Pregnancy Rights in the Workplace
Pregnancy discrimination is illegal in most workplaces. The federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 (PDA) makes it illegal for employers with 15 or more employees to discriminate against women because of pregnancy, child-birth, abortion, or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth.
Attacks on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Threaten Nearly 3 Million Pregnant Workers
Efforts to overturn or undercut the enforcement of the PWFA puts 2.8 million pregnant workers at risk – including majorities of Black, brown and white women, and the majority in every state.
Discrimination While Pregnant
Any pregnant person may experience pregnancy discrimination. But because of the ways that racism, sexism and ableism have structured the United States economy, pregnant workers’ need for accommodations — and the harms they may face if unable to access accommodations — can differ significantly. Women and people of color are especially likely to be in jobs that are higher risk and lack adequate health and safety protections.
Improving Maternal Health with the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) will ensure that employers provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees and that the workplace is an environment where needed accommodations are routinely expected and provided.
Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Workers: State and Local Laws
Thirty-one states, including the District of Columbia, and four cities have passed laws requiring some employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would help prevent employers from forcing pregnant women out of the workplace and help ensure that employers provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant women who want to continue working.
