Press Conference Delivers Shock: Pregnant Employees Are Being Fired for Water Breaks

Who knew we needed a law to protect pregnant women from being fired for taking a bathroom break or drinking water on the job? Speakers at today’s press conference after the introduction of the Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) highlighted the reality many women face in ultimately having to choose between a healthy pregnancy and their job.

At the press conference bill sponsor, Representative Nadler (D-NY), described cases where the law has failed to protect pregnant workers. Rep. Nadler stated what should be the obvious: that the economic devastation of a pregnant woman losing her job impacts not only her, but her family and the employer as well.

NWLC’s Emily Martin spoke at the conference. Martin explained how some courts have limited the protections set out in current law, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA).

Martin, pictured above, described the gap courts have created between the PDA and Americans with Disabilities Act, which leaves pregnant workers unprotected when they need accommodations during ordinary pregnancy, such as avoiding lifting heavy objects in the last 6 weeks. The result, Martin explained, is that women “are losing their jobs because employers refuse to make temporary modifications to allow women to perform their jobs safely.”

Flanked by supporters and women’s and labor advocates, Martin outlined how the PWFA would prevent such discrimination for pregnant workers. The PWFA “would require employers to extend the accommodations they already provide workers with disabilities to their pregnant employees.” This expansion would ensure the safety of pregnant workers, the economic security of their families and benefit employers by reducing turnover.

Among other supporters, NWLC staff attended the press conference in support of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (pictured left to right Samantha Lint, Tanya Senanayake, Devi Rao and Elizabeth Yates).