State laws: In addition to the federal law, many state laws may
also impose requirements. Some state laws have more requirements or
contain more generous provisions for pregnant employees.
2. Legal Requirements
Hiring
Promotions
Sick leave
Firing
Maternity leave
Short-term disability
3. Family and Medical Leave Act
Up to 12 weeks unpaid leave
Incapacitating conditions during pregnancy
Maternity leave
Paternity leave
Protections for jobs when they return to work
4. Reproductive Hazards And Pregnant Employees
Notification of risks
Signed releases
Exclusion from worksites prohibited
Transfers and other accommodations
5.
Pregnant workers should be treated (the same/differently) from
other workers
Workers spouses (must/do not have to) receive the same
pregnancy-related health benefits as employees
FMLA leave (can/cannot) be used for maternity leave
Law and Policy: Choose The Right Word
6. Work with Pregnant Employees
Expect some problems
Be prepared for some absences
Reassign nonessential tasks, if necessary
Make other accommodations, when possible
Encourage sufficient advance notice of upcoming maternity
leave
7. Easing the Return to Work
Stay in touch
Keep employees on leave informed
Reorient workers when they return
8. Pregnancy and Maternity: True or False?
1. Have pregnant employees train co-workers to handle their
work while theyre on leave True (Especially, if your company has a
policy regarding advance notice of upcoming maternity leave,
mangers can plan ahead)
2. Give most of the work to your most productive workers False
(the work should be evenly distributed among the remaining
workers)
3. Laurens Question : Dont expect pregnant workers to follow
sick day and personal day rules False (Employers should accommodate
pregnant workers whenever possible, but hold them accountable for
work and for following attendance rules. If they need additional
time off, they can take FMLA leave as we discussed! )
4. Keep in touch with employees on maternity leave True (Keep
informed about their return date and keep them up to date on whats
going on at work)
9.
The law prohibits discrimination against pregnant employees and
job applicants
Make sure you understand and follow pregnancy and maternity
policy requirements
Work with pregnant employees to accommodate pregnancy, handle
maternity leaves effectively, and ease the return to work