Agency boosts protections for pregnant workers
For the first time in 30 years, the government is issuing new guidelines designed to protect pregnant workers from on-the-job discrimination.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission update makes it clear that any form of workplace discrimination or harassment against pregnant women by employers is illegal. "Discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions is a prohibited form of sex discrimination," it said.
The guidelines were last updated in 1983. The new policy spells out for the first time how the Americans with Disabilities Act might apply to workers with impairments related to pregnancy.
It also emphasizes that any discrimination against women workers based on past or prospective future pregnancies is also illegal. The EEOC issued the new guidelines on Monday.
- Associated Press
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