Proposed regulations from the Biden administration to implement a piece of legislation designed to enhance workplace protections for pregnant women has drawn the ire of the U.S. bishops, as they charge the regulations could contain language to advance abortion.
Passed by the U.S. Senate late last year and by the U.S. House in 2021, the bipartisan “Pregnant Workers Fairness Act” requires employers to provide accommodations to qualified workers for pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
Examples of accommodations include: Receiving closer parking, flexible hours, additional break time, and excusals from strenuous activities. As passed, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act doesn’t include anything related to abortion.
However, on Aug. 7, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released proposed regulations for implementing the legislation that adds abortion as a reasonable accommodation.