DWC Statements on the Final Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Rule

Washington, D.C. – Today, Democratic Woman’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22), DWC Vice Chair Nikema Williams, and Rep. Judy Chu issued the following statements on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issuing the final rule on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA).

The rule provides guidelines so employers know their obligations under the law and employees know their rights—including access to basic on-the-job accommodations as well as unpaid time off for prenatal and postnatal appointments, postpartum depression, miscarriage care, abortion care, and more.

“The Democratic Women’s Caucus fought hard to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act because no one should have to choose between her job and her pregnancy,” said DWC Chair Frankel. “We are glad the Biden Administration and the EEOC issued these guidelines so workers know exactly what their rights are under this new law. No matter what, pregnant workers should be able to access the accommodations they need—including time off to manage miscarriages and get abortion care.”

“Today’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announcement is a major win for pregnant workers and families across the country,” said Rep. Chu. “Since its enactment in June last year, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act has become a critical lifeline for thousands of pregnant workers, and today’s final regulations provide essential clarity about their right to access to reasonable, life-saving accommodations at work. This law is a critical solution in addressing our nation’s maternal health crisis, and I’m especially thrilled that these final regulations protect access to unpaid leave in cases of miscarriage, stillbirth, and getting an abortion. With today’s announcement, pregnant workers will finally have the peace of mind that they can stay on the job, provide for their families, and get the accommodations they need to maintain their health and the health of their pregnancy.”

“The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act provides workers the security of knowing they can provide for their families without jeopardizing their health and pregnancy. The final rule issued by the Biden Administration and the EEOC makes it abundantly clear: pregnant workers have the right to on-the-job accommodations at every stage of pregnancy, including leave in the case of pregnancy loss or getting abortion care. I know firsthand the need for working women to have accommodations during their pregnancy, I’ve lived it. This is an incredible victory for women and families across the country,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), Vice Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus.

This final rule comes after DWC Chair Frankel, Vice Chair Nikema Williams, DWC member Judy Chu, and Rep. Jerry Nadler led 82 House Democrats in a letter to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Charlotte A. Burrows supporting the EEOC’s clear interpretation of the term “Pregnancy, Childbirth, or Related Medical Condition” as applying to the termination of pregnancy, including abortions, along with many other conditions related to lactation, fertility, and miscarriage.

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