Kildee Applauds Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Accommodations for Pregnant Workers

Statement

Legislation Would Protect Pregnant Workers from Retaliation in the Workplace
WASHINGTON--Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today applauded the passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which would guarantee reasonable workplace accommodations for pregnant workers under federal law.

Under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act:

Private sector employers with more than 15 employees as well as public sector employers must make reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers;
Pregnant workers cannot be denied employment opportunities, retaliated against for requesting a reasonable accommodation or forced to take paid or unpaid leave if another reasonable accommodation can be provided;
Workers denied a reasonable accommodation will have the same rights and remedies as those established the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These include lost pay, compensatory damages, and reasonable attorneys' fees.
"This legislation makes reasonable accommodations to help pregnant workers keep their job. People should not have to choose between a family and their career," said Congressman Kildee. "Making sure that women can choose to safely work during their pregnancy is good for families and businesses, because families can maintain their income and businesses can remain productive. I'm proud to support this bipartisan and common-sense bill."

The passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act today is the latest action taken by a Congressman Kildee to support workers and families and make Congress work for the people. In the last few months, the House has passed:

The American Rescue Plan, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing immediate economic relief to Michigan families, seniors and small businesses with direct cash payments, accelerating vaccine distribution, extending small business relief and reopening schools safely.
H.R. 842, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, to strengthen federal laws to protect workers' right to organize, negotiate wages and fight for fair working conditions.
H.R. 5, the Equality Act, to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in public accommodations, education, federal funding, employment, housing and access to credit.
H.R.1620, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization, to end instances of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking by improving law enforcement responses to violence and funding local programs to support victims.

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