Minnesota’s legislature was busy providing new rules and obligations for employers. In addition to the changes in the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA), Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST), and Paid Family and Medical Leave, (which we discuss in separate articles), the Minnesota legislature also made slight adjustments to the state’s pregnancy accommodation law and
Pregnancy
Special Report: PWFA Final Regulations
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released the text of the final regulations and interpretative guidance implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) on April 15, 2024. They were formally published in the April 19, 2024, Federal Register and will be effective 60 days later.
The EEOC received more than 100,000 public comments, including comments…
EEOC Issues Final Regulations to Implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued final regulations and Interpretative Guidance to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The PWFA went into effect on June 27, 2023. The PWFA requires that employers with at least 15 employees provide reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to qualified employees and applicants with known limitations related…
Congress Violated U.S. Constitution When It Passed Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, Texas Court Rules
Congress improperly passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, including the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), a federal court in Texas has ruled. State of Texas v. Department of Justice et al., No. 5:23-cv-00034 (N.D. Tex. Feb. 27, 2024). The court permanently enjoined the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Department of Justice from…
June 27, 2023: Update Your EEOC Poster and Start Complying with the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) goes into effect on June 27, 2023. The PWFA requires employers to post a notice describing the various protections under the new law. On June 27th, employers should remove their old EEOC “Know Your Rights” posters and replace them with the updated version found here. Please…
OH Baby! Practical Advice for Complying with the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act
The new year brings new laws for employers. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP For Nursing Mothers Act) were adopted when President Joe Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 on Dec. 29, 2022. Read our full article for practical guidance for employers.
Amount of Paid Leave Dramatically Increased Under D.C. Universal Paid Leave Law
Due to a surplus in the District of Columbia’s Universal Paid Leave Fund, the number of weeks of paid leave available to D.C. workers under D.C.’s Universal Paid Leave Act will significantly increase on July 1, 2022.
Read more here.
Louisiana to Require Employers to Provide Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnancy
Beginning August 1, 2021, Louisiana employers will be required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees who need such accommodations due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless it would pose an undue hardship on the employer. Read more about these developments from our Louisiana colleagues.
Minnesota Legislature Amends Lactation Breaks and Pregnancy Accommodation Provisions
As part of the Omnibus Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Bill, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has approved an amendment relating to pregnancy accommodations and barring reducing compensation for lactation breaks, among other changes. The amendment goes into effect on January 1, 2022.
Under Minnesota law, employers must provide employees who need to express…
Connecticut Adds Additional Protections for Breastfeeding Workers
Governor Ned Lamont has signed into law additional protections for breastfeeding workers. Connecticut law already requires all employers to “make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location, in close proximity to the work area, other than a toilet” where an employee can express milk in private and also prohibits discrimination or retaliation against…