Representative Sherrill Votes to Increase Equity for Pregnant Workers

Washington, DC –– Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted today for H.R. 1065, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which protects pregnant employees from discrimination in the workplace. She is a proud cosponsor of this bill.

“Like many people across the country, I worked during my four pregnancies. It often has its challenges but for many employed soon-to-be parents, it’s crucial for them to continue working. Yet in too many workplaces, pregnant employees are put on unpaid leave simply because they’ve asked for reasonable accommodations due to their pregnancy or after their childbirth,” said Rep. Sherrill. “The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would help stop workplace discrimination and protect the economic security of pregnant employees. At the end of the day, this is about families being able to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads while they’re expecting. And it’s about ensuring we continue to increase worker protections wherever they’re needed. We’ve seen similar legislation pass with bipartisan support in 25 states and five cities and it’s long past time we make it the law of the land for the entire country.”

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would protect workers impacted by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions from workplace discrimination and allow them to continue working during their pregnancy.

Specifically, the bill prohibits employers from:

• Failing to make reasonable accommodations for the limitations of pregnant workers, unless such an accommodation would put an undue hardship on the employer’s operations;
• Denying employment opportunities to workers based on their need for reasonable accommodations;
• Requiring job applicants to accept unwanted accommodations (if it is unnecessary to perform the job);
• Requiring pregnant employees to take leave if a reasonable accommodation can be provided; and
• Taking adverse actions against the employee based upon their request for a reasonable accommodation.

Read the full text of the bill here.