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Work & Family Policy Database
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act
State: Federal
Subject: Pregnant Disability Leave, Other
Statute/Code Cite: U.S.C. Sec. 2000e(k)
Year: 1978
Summary:
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act amended federal antidiscrimination law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. According to the law, workers cannot be fired, denied a promotion, demoted or forced to stop working because they are or might become pregnant, and employers cannot refuse to hire someone because they are or may become pregnant. The law requires employers to treat a pregnant woman the same as any other employee who becomes sick or temporarily disabled, but does not impose an affirmative requirement that any particular leave or insurance benefits be provided to any employee.
This database provides short summaries of bills and statutes. The summaries are not intended to constitute legal advice. To find out how laws relate to your particular situation, you must contact a lawyer who specializes in employees’ rights, the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division (1-866-4USWAGE), your state labor department and/or your union.
