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In December 2022, President Biden signed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) into law. This federal law provides workers with the right to reasonable workplace accommodations to address temporary limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. The PWFA went into effect on June 27, 2023. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) also issued legally binding regulations as well as interpretive guidance providing numerous examples to help workers and employers understand their rights and obligations under the law.
This document provides a general explanation of PWFA. It does not address state laws, which may provide more protection. This document is also not intended as legal advice. If you believe your rights under the PWFA have been violated, the Legal Network for Gender Equity, which is administered by the National Women’s Law Center Fund, can help connect you to attorneys. Attorneys in our network will do a first consultation with you for free. See the section on “How can I find a lawyer?” for links and more information.