Dear John,
Great news! This week the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act successfully moved out of the House Education and Labor Committee with bipartisan support — and is on its way to a vote in the full House of Representatives! This important bill for pregnant workers is moving forward because of your activism and commitment to creating a more just world for women and families.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would take commonsense steps to end pregnancy discrimination and provide a solution for those pregnant workers who need accommodations in order to continue working safely. It’s been over 40 years since the passage of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), and pregnancy discrimination is still a reality for too many. In some workplaces, if you’re pregnant and ask for help lifting heavy boxes or for a stool to sit on during your shift, your employer can flatly refuse — and even fire you for asking.
No one should be forced to choose between a paycheck and a healthy pregnancy. But that’s what happens when employers refuse to give reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers who have a medical need for them. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would ensure those workers get the accommodations they require — and keep their jobs when they need that income most.
We need to keep up the momentum. Tell your representative to support and prioritize this critical bipartisan legislation for pregnant workers.
Sincerely,
Emily Martin
Vice President for Education & Workplace Justice
National Women's Law Center |