Working While Pregnant – New Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Charlotte Burrows, Chair for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission discusses the new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and who it protects​. She provides a few examples of reasonable accommodations and what other federal laws may apply to pregnant workers and new parents.​ 

Charlotte A. Burrows was designated by President Biden as Chair of the EEOC on Jan. 20, 2021.   She was initially nominated to serve as a Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2014 In 2019, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed her to a second term. Chair Burrows has advocated for strong civil rights protections and robust cooperation between the Commission, employers, and employees to advance equal opportunity in the workplace.   She seeks to enhance the Commission’s enforcement of all laws within its jurisdiction, focusing in particular on initiatives to combat retaliation and harassment and advance diversity and inclusion. In 2021, she also launched the EEOC’s initiative on artificial intelligence and algorithmic fairness.   In addition, while at the Commission, she has worked to increase the agency’s outreach to Native Americans, vulnerable immigrant and migrant communities, and other traditionally underserved populations.