Media Coverage
Source: Daily Journal
Media Coverage
05.11.12
Paula Weber, a partner in Pillsbury’s employment and labor practice in San Francisco, commented in an article on California’s pregnancy accommodation laws. A women’s group argues the laws are so effective they should be adopted nationally. Under current federal law pregnant women are protected from discrimination, while in other states they are limited to options for reasonable accommodations similar to those offered to disabled workers.
The California provisions were highly challenged, with business groups objecting they would hurt productivity. However, a study from Equal Rights Advocates suggests the majority of pregnancy-related accommodations are simple and easily provided by employers.
Most employers have little trouble following the state’s accommodation laws, Weber said. But some managers are surprised to learn California law requires them to offer leave to women disabled by pregnancy regardless of how long the employee has worked at the business. Some employers also don’t know they must offer both family and medical leave as well as pregnancy disability leave if the worker qualities, giving the employee as much as seven months away from work.
Still, Weber said, “California employers have a pretty good idea of the requirements.”