As part of the bill funding the federal government, President Biden signed into law the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act). These relatively unknown laws are important pieces of legislation carrying with them significant changes to the workplace for pregnant employees.
PFWA
Starting June 27, 2023, employers will be required to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees. Previously, employers were only required to accommodate pregnant workers whose pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions rose to the level of a disability or when the employer made accommodations for similarly situated non-pregnant workers. So, in the past, the analysis for a pregnant employee’s accommodation request was no different than any other employee requesting an accommodation for a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
