What is the Pregnancy Discrimination Act?

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) is a federal law in the United States that prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of pregnancy. It was initially enacted in 1978 as an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and is enforced by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In Florida, this law applies to any employer with 15 or more employees. Under the PDA, an employer cannot discriminate against an employee because of pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. This means that employers must treat pregnant employees the same as they do other employees. This includes providing benefits such as health insurance, disability leave, and shift assignments in the same way they do other employees. Employers are also not allowed to force pregnant employees to take a leave of absence if they are still able to perform their job duties. Additionally, employers are not allowed to terminate an employee due to their pregnancy or related medical condition. The PDA also provides protections for women who have suffered loss or injury due to their pregnancy or childbirth, requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations to make sure that the employee can continue performing her job. This may include making it easier for them to attend doctor’s appointments or to take breaks for medical needs. All in all, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act is an important law that ensures pregnant women and new mothers receive the same rights and protections as all other employees.

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