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Senate to Debate Bill on Accommodations For Pregnant Workers

Clappstar via Flickr CC

 

Senators are poised to take up a bill that would require employers to provide certain accommodations for pregnant workers to help them stay on the job.

Accommodations under the bill include appropriate seating and equipment modifications, needed break time and a private, non-bathroom space for nursing mothers to express breast milk. The bill states existing laws don't do enough to protect pregnant women from being forced out of their jobs or fired.

The bill puts the burden on employers to prove that such accommodations would create "undue hardship," such as causing a financial hit.

The bill says it is unlawful discrimination for employers to take adverse action against employees who request these changes or to deny employment to someone because they are pregnant and need specific accommodations.

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