Accommodating the medical needs of pregnant workers is not only good for working women and families, it is good for business. Accommodations make economic and business sense, as they can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, and improve employee satisfaction and retention, among other benefits.
That is why business groups like the US Chamber of Commerce and the Society for Human Resource Management along with large companies such as L’Oréal, Levi Strauss, Adobe, Cigna, PayPal, Microsoft, and others are calling on Congress to pass a federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) to benefit employers and employees alike. When a pregnant worker requests an accommodation, like an extra bathroom break per shift or a stool to sit on, the law should be clear about what an employer is obligated to do. The PWFA will provide that clarity.