Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women’s Rights and Protections

People who could become pregnant, who are pregnant or postpartum, or who are lactating must not face discrimination in the workplace. Families should have peace of mind that they won’t face financial hardship due to pregnancy-related job loss, and workers who are pregnant should not have to fear compromising their own health and well-being to maintain their employment.

Our Position

The major employment issues concerning pregnant and breastfeeding women include:

• Pregnancy-related discrimination

• Job-protected leave

• Wage replacement while on leave

• Work accommodations that allow continued employment

• Adequate time and space for expressing breastmilk

Both federal and state laws prohibit workplace discrimination related to being pregnant and pregnancy-related harassment, including discrimination in hiring.

ACOG advocated for the passage of and advocates for the comprehensive approach to implementation of federal law that requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to an employee who has known limitation(s) related to, affected by, or arising out of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, and provide nursing employees with reasonable break times and private spaces in which to express breast milk.

Nationally and in the states, ACOG supports paid parental leave, separate from vacation and sick time.