NewsUS President Biden Friday signed a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill which consists of two key legal provisions for pregnant and nursing workers.
First, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act necessitates employers to provide “reasonable workplace accommodations for workers whose ability to perform the functions of a job are limited by pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition.” This may entail things like allowance for increased bathroom breaks or exemption from lifting heavy objects. Second, the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act seeks to “expand access to breastfeeding accommodations in the workplace, and for other purposes” by amending Fair Labor Standards Act.
Cumulatively, both provisions aim to fill the gaps in existing workplace administration which became glaringly visible during COVID-19 pandemic. The experience of past two years compelled policymakers to reassess the disproportionate effect of childcare on working mothers, who encountered roadblocks in re-entering the workforce.
Experts opine these provisions will contribute immensely in reducing gender gap, especially in physically demanding jobs. Furthermore, they are being viewed as welcome improvements over the landmark Pregnancy Discrimination Act which provided for pregnant workers to be treated in the same manner a those in “similar in their ability or inability” to work.
