Legal Momentum - Advancing Women's Rights

SPOTLIGHT ISSUE: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: Common sense protections that will clarify and enforce needed accommodations

Legal Momentum is strongly supportive of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which has just been re-introduced into the House and Senate.  The bill requires an employer to accommodate a pregnant worker's requres (e.g. for light duty or additional bathroom breaks) unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship on the business.  While some employers already engage in such consideration for pregnant employees, the safeguards provided for in this bill are particularly important for women working in low-wage jobs that provide few benefits, and in jobs that are physically strenuous.

Legal Momentum just submitted an amicus brief for the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that a Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal's ruling in the case Young v. UPS misinterprets the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA).  Decisions such as the Fourth Circuit's will likely eradicate the protections of the PDA specifically put in place by Congress 35 years ago.  While Young v. UPS highlights a misinterpretation of the PDA, if the PWFA was already law, employers would already understand that workers such as Ms. Young must be accommodated with a light duty job.


 

 


Expert Reports

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Worst-Off: Single-Parent Families in the United States
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News

05/20/2013 Legal Momentum, The Women’s Legal Defense and Education Fund, is pleased to announce the appointment of N. Linsey Tully as Director of Development. Ms. Tully is a development professional with a distinguished history in business and not-for-profit activities. More »

05/10/2013 Legal Momentum and a group of legal scholars filed a Supreme Court brief arguing that the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal’s ruling in Young v. UPS misinterprets the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) to the detriment of women working during pregnancy. More »

05/02/2013 During Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, we presented several posts on Facebook about new publications and events. Here are some highlights. More »

04/24/2013 Legal Momentum co-founded the National Task Force on Tradeswomen’s issues two years ago. Through the Task Force, we continued advocating for tradeswomen in April as a planning partner to the Women Building California and the Nation Conference in Sacramento, and sponsoring a Policy Forum at the Conference. More »

Events

2013 Aiming High Awards a Great Success
Our 2013 Aiming High Awards, taking place on Wednesday May 8, was a terrific event. Thanks to all who attended and supported us, and congratulations to our honorees Maliz Beams, Liz Beshel Robinson, Suni Harford, Ivy Thomas McKinney and Kelly Tullier. More »

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Since its founding in 1970, Legal Momentum has pioneered litigation and public policy solutions to combat discrimination, advance women's rights, prevent violence against women, and address poverty, which disproportionately affects millions of women and children in America. Our 2011 Annual Report highlights our work to promote the economic and personal security of women and girls. Fiscal Year 2012 Financial Statement

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