Casey, Shaheen and Nadler Are Authors of Pregnant Workers Fairness Act that Would Require Employers to Offer Reasonable Accommodations to Pregnant Workers / Members Led Over 120 Members of Congress in Brief to Supreme Court in Favor of Peggy Young’s Claims
Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) released statements following the Supreme Court’s decision in Young v. UPS. Casey, Shaheen and Nadler are the authors of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which would require employers to offer pregnant workers reasonable accommodations so they can work during their pregnancy. Casey, Shaheen and Nadler also led over 120 members of Congress on an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of Peggy Young’s claims. The members will be introducing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in the coming weeks.
“While the Court’s decision is a victory for Peggy Young, it still leaves too much uncertainty for other pregnant workers, who still face significant challenges under today’s decision. It is now more important than ever to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to ensure that all workers with medical needs arising out of pregnancy have a right to accommodations,” Senator Casey said. “Congress should act immediately to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to streamline the process for pregnant workers to receive reasonable accommodations, reinforcing today’s decision and providing an unmistakable rule for employers to follow.”
“Women should never have to pick between their jobs and their pregnancy,” Senator Shaheen said. “Women are critical contributors to our economy and deserve reasonable accommodations in the workplace so that they can continue a healthy pregnancy. The Supreme Court made the right decision today on Peggy Young’s behalf, but now we must act on our bill to protect pregnant women across the country.”
Congressman Nadler said, “While the Court’s decision gives Ms. Young the opportunity to prove her case, it falls far short of what is needed for working women in America. This ruling means that a pregnant worker’s ability to get an accommodation that allows her to continue working safely will vary significantly from workplace to workplace.”
Congressman Nadler continued, “The Court’s failure to clarify that all employers should accommodate their pregnant workers makes it clear that Congress must pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and settle this issue once and for all. The PWFA would require employers to make reasonable accommodations to employees who have limitations stemming from pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the employer. Rather than forcing pregnant women to identify a worker with a similar limitation or find someone with an existing on-the-job accommodation, the PWFA guarantees that every woman receives simple, low-cost accommodations. No woman should be put in the position of choosing between her health and her job. No woman should lose her paycheck and her benefits weeks away from having another mouth to feed.”
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