What are the rights of employees who become pregnant?

In Washington, employees who become pregnant have many rights to protect them in the workplace. These rights are part of the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Under the WLAD, employers are prohibited from discriminating against pregnant workers. This means they cannot refuse to hire, fire, or make decisions based on pregnancy. Employers are also required to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees, such as providing extra breaks or modified duties. The FMLA guarantees employees the right to twelve weeks of unpaid leave for a qualifying medical condition, including pregnancy. During this leave, employers are required to keep an employee on their health insurance plan and return them to the same or a similar job upon their return. Employees also have the right to request reasonable accommodations from their employer to help manage their pregnancy. These may include more frequent breaks, modified job duties, and even time off for doctor’s appointments. Employers are required to provide these reasonable accommodations so long as they do not create an undue hardship for the employer. Finally, employees in Washington are entitled to unpaid pregnancy leave for up to eight weeks, as long as they follow the procedures and notification requirements set forth in the WLAD. In summary, employees in Washington have many rights to protect them during their pregnancy, including the right to reasonable accommodations, unpaid leave, and protection from discrimination.

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