by The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has published a concise way to review the key federal protections for applicants and employees who are pregnant, including those who may have pregnancy-related disabilities. The Pregnancy Discrimination Resources page, found at https://www.eeoc.gov/pregnancy-discrimination, includes information and resources for applicants, employees, and employers.
Prominently featured on the page are the deadlines and procedural requirements for taking action regarding perceived discrimination. Other information includes:
- Link to a Quick Reference on Legal Rights for Pregnant Workers Under Federal Law;
- Summary of how Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination, also covers pregnancy discrimination due to its amendment by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act;
- Information on when and how the Americans with Disabilities Act can provide protection for some pregnancy-related medical conditions;
- Links to examples of the various ways discrimination can occur based on current pregnancy, past pregnancy, potential pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth; and
- Links to related potential discrimination and federal protections regarding leaves of absence, need for lactation time, contraception choices, and other situations.
Information on how certain treatment of applicants or employees with caregiving responsibilities can be unlawful under federal law is also linked on the page.
In addition to educating applicants and employees, the new resource page is a good first stop for human resources professionals in evaluating policy updates that could affect pregnant workers or others covered by these laws. It is also a useful starting point when evaluating complaints of pregnancy discrimination.
