Pregnancy Discrimination Act: Compliance Tips

Summary

This practice note discusses the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), which amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and clarified the definition of unlawful sexual discrimination to include discrimination relating to "pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions." 42 U.S.C. § 2000e(k). The PDA's gist is simple: an employer must treat pregnant women and women who may become pregnant in the future the same as other employees. Less simple is the extent to which employers may have a duty to accommodate pregnant employees under the PDA.