On April 15, 2024, The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued final regulations for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), effective June 18, 2024. This law mandates that employers with 15 or more employees must handle accommodation requests for pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions as they would under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Key aspects of the PWFA include a broad definition of “pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions” that covers a wide range of situations from fertility treatments to lactation. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations, which might include job restructuring, flexible working hours, and modifications to the work environment, among others.
The regulations emphasize that accommodations need not be based on the severity of conditions, and employers can deny accommodations only if they pose an undue hardship, which must be carefully assessed through an interactive process.
EMPLOYER CONSIDERATIONS
Employers should review and update their HR policies and training to ensure compliance with the PWFA, considering any additional local or state regulations.