What you need to know about the Pregnant Worker’s Fairness Act (PWFA)

On June 27, 2023, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) went into effect. This act is designed to protect both current and future employees who may be pregnant, or have medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, in the workplace.

Here are some key points to know about the PWFA:

– The act requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees or those with related medical conditions, such as providing more frequent restroom breaks or allowing for modified duties. Other accommodations under the PWFA might include:

• The ability to sit at a workstation.
• Closer parking.
• Flexible hours.
• Appropriately sized uniforms and safety apparel.
• Additional break time to use the bathroom, eat and rest.
• Leave to recover from childbirth.
• Reassignment from activities that are strenuous or involve exposure to compounds not safe for pregnancy.

– Employers are also prohibited from discriminating against employees based on their pregnancy status or related medical conditions.

– The PWFA applies to all employers with 15 or more employees. The protections apply to all pregnant employees, regardless of their length of service. 

Overall, the PWFA aims to ensure that pregnant employees are not unfairly disadvantaged or discriminated against in the workplace due to their pregnancy or related health conditions. This is a significant step forward for the protection of workers’ rights, and is a positive development for the average worker who may need these kinds of accommodations in the future.