Are employers required to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees?

Yes, employers in North Carolina are required to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees in accordance with the state’s employment discrimination laws. These laws protect pregnant workers from various forms of discrimination, including not providing reasonable accommodations. According to the North Carolina Department of Labor, employers must provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees unless doing so would create an “undue hardship” to the employer. These accommodations may include changes to job tasks, schedules, or workplace policies. Examples may include providing extra bathroom breaks for pregnant employees, allowing employees to adjust their workstations, providing additional water breaks, and more. Employers may also not discriminate against an employee who requests a reasonable accommodation due to pregnancy or childbirth. Doing so is considered a form of unlawful discrimination under state law. Therefore, employers in North Carolina are required to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees unless doing so would create an “undue hardship” to the employer. If an employer fails to do so, the employee may be able to take legal action against the employer.

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