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Federal Law
PWFA — Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
42 U.S.C. § 2000gg et seq.
Employer Size
15+
Filing Deadline
180 days
Extended Deadline
300 days
Filing Agency
Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionOverview
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), effective June 27, 2023, requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified employees with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the employer. The PWFA fills a critical gap left by the PDA by providing pregnant workers with accommodation rights similar to those afforded to individuals with disabilities under the ADA. Importantly, unlike the PDA, the PWFA does not require a comparator -- employers must provide accommodations regardless of how they treat other employees with similar limitations.
Key Provisions
- Employers must provide reasonable accommodations for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions
- Cannot require employees to take paid or unpaid leave if another reasonable accommodation is available
- Cannot deny employment opportunities based on need for reasonable accommodation
- Cannot require employees to accept an accommodation other than one arrived at through an interactive process
- Follows the ADA framework for reasonable accommodation and undue hardship analysis
Available Remedies
Back payReinstatement or front payCompensatory damagesPunitive damages (same caps as Title VII)Attorney fees and court costsInjunctive relief
Filing Information
Deadline
180 days from the discriminatory act (300 days in deferral states)
Eligibility Notes
- •Effective June 27, 2023
- •Requires reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions
- •Separate from PDA - provides accommodation rights similar to ADA
- •Employer must have 15 or more employees
- •Does not require a comparator unlike the PDA
Covers These Situations
discriminationfailure to accommodateretaliationwrongful termination
Protected Characteristics
pregnancychildbirthrelated medical conditions
Related Federal Laws
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Check My RightsThis information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations are subject to change. Consult a qualified employment attorney for advice about your specific situation. Last reviewed: March 2026.