1. Pregnancy and the Law

• • Pregnancy Discrimination Act

• • State laws: In addition to the federal law, many state laws may also impose requirements. Some state laws have more requirements or contain more generous provisions for pregnant employees.

2. Legal Requirements

• • Hiring

• • Promotions

• • Sick leave

• • Firing

• • Maternity leave

• • Short-term disability

3. Family and Medical Leave Act

• • Up to 12 weeks unpaid leave

• • Incapacitating conditions during pregnancy

• • Maternity leave

• • Paternity leave

• • Protections for jobs when they return to work

4. Reproductive Hazards And Pregnant Employees

• • Notification of risks

• • Signed releases

• • Exclusion from worksites prohibited

• • Transfers and other accommodations

5.

• Pregnant workers should be treated (the same/differently) from other workers

• Workers spouses (must/do not have to) receive the same pregnancy-related health benefits as employees

• FMLA leave (can/cannot) be used for maternity leave

Law and Policy: Choose The Right Word

6. Work with Pregnant Employees

• • Expect some problems

• • Be prepared for some absences

• • Reassign nonessential tasks, if necessary

• • Make other accommodations, when possible

• • Encourage sufficient advance notice of upcoming maternity leave

7. Easing the Return to Work

• • Stay in touch

• • Keep employees on leave informed

• • Reorient workers when they return

8. Pregnancy and Maternity: True or False?

• 1. Have pregnant employees train co-workers to handle their work while theyre on leave True (Especially, if your company has a policy regarding advance notice of upcoming maternity leave, mangers can plan ahead)

• 2. Give most of the work to your most productive workers False (the work should be evenly distributed among the remaining workers)

• 3. Laurens Question : Dont expect pregnant workers to follow sick day and personal day rules False (Employers should accommodate pregnant workers whenever possible, but hold them accountable for work and for following attendance rules. If they need additional time off, they can take FMLA leave as we discussed! )

• 4. Keep in touch with employees on maternity leave True (Keep informed about their return date and keep them up to date on whats going on at work)

9.

• • The law prohibits discrimination against pregnant employees and job applicants

• • Make sure you understand and follow pregnancy and maternity policy requirements

• • Work with pregnant employees to accommodate pregnancy, handle maternity leaves effectively, and ease the return to work