Everyday, pregnant workers in this country are forced to choose between a paycheck and a healthy pregnancy. Why? Because they lack access to critical workplace accommodations, like requesting more bathroom breaks, or being able to keep a bottle of water with them while they work, or needing a stool to sit on as they work, that would allow them to stay healthy and continue working.

It is outrageously wrong that this is happening in 2022. It is even more offensive that a bipartisan bill, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) – legislation that would fix this situation, is still sitting in the U.S. Senate and hasn’t passed, even though this bill passed out of the U.S. House LAST YEAR.

We are running out of time to get this bipartisan bill across the finish line. We’re asking the Senate to act now and not to wait for the busy and chaotic end of year. We need to get this done now.

The PWFA has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives, it has broad bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate and ensures pregnant workers will not be fired or denied job modifications that will keep them working while maintaining a healthy pregnancy. [1] So why hasn’t the U.S. Senate passed this bill? Your guess is as good as mine but that’s where you come in. We need your support, voice and action to pressure the U.S. Senate to prioritize pregnant workers by bringing the PWFA to a vote.

Not only is this a workers' rights issue but it’s a civil rights, maternal health, women’s rights, and reproductive justice issue. Three-quarters of women who enter the workforce will be pregnant and employed at some point in their lives. [2] Don't they deserve to remain in their jobs and provided with reasonable and medically-necessary accommodations like being able to sit down or have a bottle of water on shift so they can continue working while maintaining healthy pregnancies? I would say yes, 100%!

Pregnant women and workers are being pushed out of their jobs and the workforce. They are facing economic instability, pregnancy discrimination and adverse health outcomes. Providing pregnant workers with reasonable accommodations means they can continue to generate income, achieve seniority and contribute to their or their families' economic stability. It’s a win win. What pregnant workers need and what women and families need is for the U.S. Senate to make this a priority by bringing it to the floor for a vote and passing the PWFA NOW.

Passing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is the right thing to do. It benefits pregnant and postpartum workers, women and families. It’s good for business and will increase employee retention and morale by reducing employer’s turnover and training costs. [3] We need to ensure safe and healthy pregnancies in the workplace by providing pregnant workers with reasonable accommodations. And we do that by urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act without delay.

P.S. Personal experiences are powerful and can make a HUGE difference in helping elected leaders understand how public policies impact families so they can move change. We want to hear more from YOU! Can you take a second and follow the link below to share your personal story about how having, or NOT having, access to job-protected paid leave or affordable, quality child care has impacted your family in the pandemic? https://action.momsrising.org/survey/Caretaking_Stories

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