The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission has issued its final regulations for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”), providing guidance for employers on implementing the PWFA in their workplaces and understanding how the law will be enforced. The new rules will take effect on June 18, 2024, although the PWFA itself has been in effect since June 27, 2023.
The PWFA provides expanded workplace protections for employees with conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth. While many of its concepts are similar to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the PWFA and its accompanying regulations mandate broader protections in several important respects.
Read our full Alert on the final regulations here.
Employers will want to take steps to ensure compliance with the final regulations and interpretive guidance by June 18, 2024. Ballard Spahr’s Labor and Employment Group has significant experience helping employers navigate regulatory compliance issues related to pregnancy and lactation, including advising on employment policies, providing training that helps avoid future issues, and defending against claims should they arise.