Protecting Pregnant Workers' Rights: The EEOC Takes Action

The EEOC has filed lawsuits against two employers to enforce the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The lawsuits allege that these companies failed to accommodate pregnant employees, forcing them into impossible choices between their health and their jobs.

In the case against Polaris Industries, an employee was denied accommodations for her pregnancy-related medical appointments and restrictions. Despite her doctor's advice, she was required to work overtime and faced termination if she didn't comply, leading to her resignation.

In the case against Urologic Specialists of Oklahoma, a medical assistant's request for accommodations during her high-risk pregnancy—including sitting, taking breaks, and working part-time—was denied. Instead, she was forced to take unpaid leave and was not guaranteed breaks to express breastmilk.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires employers to reasonably accommodate workers with pregnancy-related conditions unless it poses an undue hardship on the business. The EEOC is stepping up to protect these rights, making it clear that no pregnant worker should have to choose between their health and their livelihood.

Learn more about your rights under the PWFA and the EEOC's ongoing efforts to protect pregnant workers: https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-pregnant-workers-fairness-act