EEOC Initiates Initial String of Lawsuits Under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has initiated enforcement of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) following the release of its final rule and interpretative guidance in April 2024 . We previously provided a comprehensive recap of the PWFA, the EEOC’s final rule and guidance and key takeaways for employers here and here . Last month, t he EEOC filed its first three lawsuits against employers under the PWFA and announced a settlement against a fourth employer resolving a pregnancy discrimination charge where the employer terminated the employee after she requested an accommodation to attend medical appointments. These matters serve as a stark reminder to employers of their obligations under the PWFA and the EEOC’s intent to enforce those obligations. September 10, 2024: EEOC v. Wabash National Corporation In a lawsuit filed on September 10, 2024 in the Western District of Kentucky, the EEOC alleges that a national producer of semi-trailers and oth...