Recent legislation may impact you as an employer

Recent legislation may impact you as an employer. Are you familiar with PWFA? How about PUMP?

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is a new law that goes into effect next week (June 27) that requires employers of 15 or more to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers. Examples of reasonable accommodations include:

• ability to sit or drink water

• closer parking

• appropriately sized uniforms and safety apparel

• additional break time to use the bathroom, eat, and rest

• be excused from strenuous activities and/or exposure to unsafe compounds

The Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers (PUMP) Act -- already in effect for employers of 50 or more -- requires reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for one year after the child's birth. Employers must provide a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion.

Many state and local laws already provide similar or greater protections and accommodation requirements for pregnant and nursing workers. Read more about these new laws at EEOC and SHRM websites.