Employers would no longer be able to force pregnant women to take unpaid leave, under legislation being proposed at the Capitol.
State Representative Eric Genrich (D-Green Bay) says the bill would address gaps in current law, which allow employers to force a pregnant woman off the job if problems develop that make it hard from them to fulfill their usual duties. Genrich says the bill would require employers to make certain considerations for those women, such as offering more breaks during the work day, allowing them to have access to a stool to sit down, and the ability to carry water with them.
The bill does provide an exemption for employers if they can prove keeping a pregnant woman on the job creates an “undue hardship” by having them in their workforce.
Current law makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against pregnant employees, and the Green Bay Democrat says telling women to just come back when they’re not pregnant is not acceptable. He hopes the bill will help provide more clarity to both workers and employers.
Rick Schuh, WHBY
