EEOC Begins Accepting Charges Under New Federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has begun accepting charges of discrimination alleging violations of the new federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The PWFA went into effect on June 27, 2023.

This new federal law, which applies to employers with 15 or more employees, is similar to Nevada’s Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act. It requires an employer to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant individuals who have a physical or mental condition related to, affected by, or arising out of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions whether or not that condition meets the definition of disability under the ADA. It also provides that a pregnant worker is entitled to an accommodation even if she is temporarily unable to perform the essential functions of her position as long as the essential function could be performed in the near future and the inability to perform the essential function can be reasonably accommodated.

The EEOC has released a variety of educational resources on this new law, including an updated “Know Your Rights” poster for employers.

If you have questions about this new law or need assistance with an EEOC charge or accommodation request, please contact a KZA attorney. 

KZA Employer Report articles are for general information only; they are not intended and should not be construed to be legal advice. Reading or replying to such articles does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In addition, because the subject matters and applicable laws discussed in Employer Report articles are often in a state of change and not always applicable to every type of business entity or organization, readers should consult with counsel before making decisions based on the same.