Earlier this week the federal government issued new guidelines to protect pregnant women of discrimination in the workplace. This is the first update of this issue in over three decades, citing “the persistence of overt pregnancy discrimination, as well as the emergence of more subtle discriminatory practices.” The EEOC has made is very clear that any form of discrimination or harassment of pregnant by their employers is illegal. The law prohibits employers from forcing pregnant women to take leave from work. It also acknowledges that “employers may have to provide light duty for pregnant workers.” After childbirth, lactation is now covered as a pregnancy-related medical condition.
