Understanding Your Rights: Working from Home During Pregnancy and Postpartum
This law can allow you to work from home while pregnant or postpartum
Fast Company
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The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), passed in June 2023, empowers pregnant and postpartum workers in the U.S. to seek reasonable accommodations, including remote work, to balance their careers and family life. This law applies to employers with 15 or more employees and aims to prevent mothers from leaving the workforce due to rigid return-to-office policies.
- 01The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was enacted in June 2023.
- 02The law applies to employers with 15 or more employees.
- 03It mandates reasonable accommodations for pregnant and postpartum workers.
- 04Remote work can be considered a reasonable accommodation under the PWFA.
- 05Labor force participation among mothers dropped from 80% to 77% due to return-to-office mandates.
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The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), passed by Congress in June 2023, provides essential protections for pregnant and postpartum workers in the United States. This law applies to any employer with 15 or more employees and mandates that reasonable accommodations be made for workers experiencing pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. This includes the possibility of opting out of return-to-office mandates, allowing for remote work as a reasonable accommodation. The legislation aims to address the decline in labor force participation among mothers, which fell from 80% in 2023 to 77% by August 2025. Employment attorney Daphne Delvaux emphasizes the importance of understanding these rights to help mothers navigate work-life balance during this critical time. With the infrastructure for remote work already established during the pandemic, employers are expected to adapt to these new requirements to support their employees effectively.
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The PWFA enables pregnant and postpartum workers to request flexible work arrangements, helping them maintain their careers while managing family responsibilities.
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