New Accommodations for Pregnant Employees

On July 14, 2014, the EEOC issued the Enforcement Guidance on Pregnancy Discrimination, which intends to provide guidance regarding the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA).  Under the PDA, “an employer cannot discriminate against and employee on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and women affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions must be treated the same as other persons not so affected but similar in their ability or inability to work.”  42 U.S.C. § 12101.  By issuing this new guidance, the EEOC hopes to reduce the number or pregnancy discrimination claims by requiring employers to offer reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers.