Are employers required to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees?
Yes, employers in Pennsylvania are required to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees. This is based on the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, which prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy and child-bearing, as well as the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may include additional bathroom or break times, light duty, modified job duties, or modified workplace policies. This can include allowing an employee to rest or take breaks during a shift, scheduling changes, moving to a less strenuous or hazardous job, or even providing a job-protected leave. An employer must provide reasonable accommodations unless it can demonstrate that the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the business. An employer can demonstrate an undue hardship by showing that the accommodation is too expensive, increases safety risks, decreases efficiency, or otherwise disrupts normal operations to an unreasonable degree. It is important for employers to be aware of their obligations towards pregnant employees and provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that they are adequately protected under the law. Employers should also familiarize themselves with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure that they understand their legal obligations.
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