FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2020
September 18, 2020
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-639-6405/202-374-6491
[email protected]
Largest Federal Employee Union Applauds House Passage of Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Bill would expand job protections and accommodations for pregnant workers, AFGE says
WASHINGTON – TheAmerican Federation of Government Employees applauds the House for passing legislation yesterday that would expand job protections and reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers nationwide.
“The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would, for the first time, explicitly require employers in the public and private sectors to provide reasonable and necessary accommodations to workers who are limited in doing their jobs due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said.
“This bill would protect pregnant workers from being fired or forced to take unpaid leave when a reasonable accommodation is available,” Kelley added. “No worker should have to choose between a healthy pregnancy and a paycheck.”
Workers denied a reasonable accommodation under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would have the same rights and remedies afforded to employees under existing federal anti-discrimination laws, including lost pay, compensatory damages, and reasonable attorneys’ fees.
The House bill, HR 2694, passed with large bipartisan support, 329-73. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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