What is the PWFA?
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), a significant federal law issued through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), is of utmost importance to all employers in the United States. This law mandates that employers must offer reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers, including those related to pregnancy and medical conditions that may arise from pregnancy and childbirth. The PWFA came into effect on June 27th, 2023, and is federally mandated as of June 18th, 2024.
What does this mean for my business?
The PWFA states that employers must “make reasonable accommodations to the known limitations related to the pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.” Employers include all federal government agencies and private, state, and local employers with at least 15 employees. Once an employer is made aware of an employee’s limitations related to pregnancy and related conditions, they must find ways to accommodate them within reason. Accommodations include but are not limited to providing a chair, allowing more flexible breaks and time off, granting requests for medical appointments, changing job duties, authorizing remote work, or providing necessary leave for pregnant employees. Accommodations must be met throughout pregnancy and beyond and can vary depending on the pregnant worker’s medical and health needs. The PWFA enables pregnant people to ask for accommodations that will support and protect their pregnancy.
How ReEmployAbility can help you with the PWFA
ReEmployAbility, with over 20 years of experience in finding modified and light-duty accommodations for injured workers, is uniquely positioned to assist employers in navigating the PWFA. We have a proven track record of locating duties for individuals with non-occupational disabilities and are well-equipped to help employers find appropriate accommodations for their pregnant workforce. With over 48,000 Nonprofit Partners across the United States, flexible accommodation options, and a focus on faster return to work and recovery, ReEmployAbility is your partner in PWFA compliance.
Contact us today to learn more about how ReEmployAbility’s Transition2Work program can significantly assist with your pregnant worker accommodations. Our program has been proven to facilitate faster return to work and recovery, making it a valuable resource for employers navigating the PWFA.
PWFA Resources:
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. What you should know about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-pregnant-workers-fairness-act
- Harvard Business Review. (2024, May). The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: What U.S. Employers Need to Know. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2024/05/the-pregnant-workers-fairness-act-what-u-s-employers-need-to-know
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