09.17.20

WASHINGTON — Today, the House will vote to secure critical rights for pregnant workers. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 2694)^[1] would clearly establish a pregnant worker’s right to a “reasonable accommodation” so that no worker is forced to choose between financial security and a healthy pregnancy. Here’s what some the leading organizations are saying about the bill:

A Better Balance: “No one should have to choose between keeping their job and a healthy pregnancy—not during a pandemic, not ever. In the past few months alone, A Better Balance has heard from hundreds of pregnant women across the country, disproportionately women of color, many in essential jobs, who continue to face termination or are forced out for needing a temporary workplace accommodation. This is simply unacceptable. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is a long overdue maternal health and economic security measure that would finally put an end to the second-class treatment of pregnant workers under the law. We hope all members of Congress will take this opportunity to support pregnant workers and pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act,” said Dina Bakst, Co-Founder and Co-President of A Better Balance.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): “No one should have to choose between a healthy pregnancy and a paycheck but it’s still happening. Although the Pregnancy Discrimination Act played a critical role in securing women’s place in the workforce, too many women continue to be marginalized at work because they decide to become pregnant. This is especially true for women in physically demanding or male-dominated jobs, low-wage workers, and women of color who request temporary accommodations to address a medical need and instead are terminated or placed on unpaid leave, causing devastating economic harm. That is why passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is a dire necessity for women and families across the country. Employers also will benefit by gaining clarity on their obligations under the law. We thank House leadership, the Committee on Education and Labor, and the Committee on the Judiciary for combating pregnancy discrimination and prioritizing the economic security of workers and their families,” said Vania Leveille, Senior Legislative Counsel, American Civil Liberties Union.