Unions.Org Blog? Blog Archive ? Expecting a Baby, Not a Lay-Off

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was recently introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) ? a bill that will ensure pregnant workers are able to maintain their jobs without limiting their ability to work and support their family. Take action in support of this bill here:?AFSCME.org/pregnantworkers

According to the new Equal Rights Advocates? report ?Expecting a Baby, Not a Lay-Off,? there are 43 states that do not require employers to provide reasonable pregnancy accommodations for workers.

While women represent nearly half the workforce, in these states many employers refuse to give pregnant workers simple accommodations such as limiting heavy lifting. This noncooperation is especially unfair considering that many of the same accommodations pregnant workers ask for are provided under law for injured workers, and those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008.

In a recent CNN special on the issue, Jeannette Cox tells the story of retail sales associate Heather Wiseman who ?lost her job because consuming water while working violated store policy.? Because there were no federal or state laws protecting her, Wiseman had no recourse to her termination during a time when most families need stability the most.

Unwillingness to cooperate with pregnant workers often leads to women being fired or expectant mothers taking months of unnecessary unpaid leave with no promise they?ll have a job to come back to.

?At a time when American families are struggling to make ends meet, it?s imperative that we do everything we can to keep people in their jobs, and this is especially true for pregnant women on the verge of having another mouth to feed,? Rep. Nadler said.??Protecting the health and well being of pregnant women should be central to our society?s support for strong and stable families.? The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is an essential means of clarifying our laws to ensure that pregnant women and their families are not allowed to slip through the cracks.?

As AFSCME sisters and brothers, let?s do our part and stand together to make sure that all working families are protected at the workplace, and that includes health and job security. Take action here: AFSCME.org/pregnantworkers

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