Pregnancy Accommodation Laws Surprise Employers

Santa Ana, CA, July 19, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Employers nationwide are being surprised by a surge of support for pregnancy accommodation laws. A great new online tool from Labor Law Center at http://www.laborlawcenter.com/t-State-federal-labor-law-posters-updates.aspx helps employers check for mandatory poster updates, such as those required by pregnancy accommodation laws.

New York and Philadelphia recently passed Pregnancy Accommodation Acts, and similar measures are being considered in many states or municipalities nationwide. This illustrates a growing trend for cities to pass labor laws that are more restrictive than state or federal laws. Many of these changes require that every employer prominently display a labor law poster advising employees of their rights under the new law. Employers – especially those with multiple locations – may find it challenging to keep abreast of the rapid changes in employment law.

The New York and Philadelphia pregnancy accommodation laws require employers to make reasonable accommodations for an employee who is pregnant, even if she is not disabled. Depending upon the specifics, those accommodations may include more frequent breaks, changes in work hours and duties, or temporary reassignment to another open position.

While federal law has long protected a pregnant woman from discrimination, unless she met the EEOC threshold for a disability, no job accommodation was required. If a job required an employee to lift 100 pounds, a pregnant employee was held to the same level of performance. Pregnancy accommodation laws change these long-established rules of engagement. According to the Center for Disease Control, nationwide about 102 women per 1,000 become pregnant each year. Many expectant mothers who are employed outside the home will continue to work until their delivery date.

Labor Law Center is a well-respected Southern California-based firm founded in 1999 that supplies compliance posters to small businesses and major corporations. Past clients include Google, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Visa, Equifax, Chevron, Toyota, Merck, Scottrade and Whole Foods.

About Author:
Labor Law Center is a trusted marketplace for business compliance needs including total compliance management services such as mandatory labor law posters, HR recordkeeping tools and business products. Labor Law Center is headquartered in Garden Grove, CA. For more info, visit http://www.laborlawcenter.com.