What are the rights of employees who become pregnant?
In Virginia, pregnant employees have certain rights under the law. According to the Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA), employers are prohibited from discriminating against an employee because they are pregnant or have a medical condition related to pregnancy. This means that an employer cannot deny a pregnant employee a job or promotion on that basis. Additionally, the Virginia Family and Medical Leave Act (VFMLA) entitles pregnant employees to unpaid leave for childbirth or related medical conditions. This leave can be taken by the employee for a period of up to 12 weeks. During the leave, the employer must maintain the employee’s health insurance coverage. Furthermore, any job-protected leave taken by the employee must be reinstated upon the employee’s return to work. Employers are also required by the VHRA to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees as needed. This may include changes in the employee’s work hours or job duties, or the use of modified equipment. Employers must also provide reasonable break times and a place for nursing mothers to express breast milk. Overall, pregnant employees in Virginia have certain rights that are protected by the VHRA and VFMLA. These laws are designed to protect their rights and ensure that they are treated fairly in the workplace.
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