2023 Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Employer Readiness Report

This report details the findings from a survey conducted among 600 HR leaders and decision-makers in large organizations regarding their readiness for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which mandates reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers. The PWFA, effective June 27, 2023, will classify pregnancy-related conditions as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The report outlines the current state of employer preparedness, revealing that nearly half of the surveyed HR professionals are not fully familiar with the PWFA and many organizations lack formal accommodation processes. It discusses the anticipated increase in accommodation requests from pregnant employees, emphasizing the need for HR departments to examine and update their policies, train managers, and implement effective accommodations management systems. The report also highlights various reasonable accommodations that may be required, underscoring the importance of being proactive in compliance to avoid potential legal issues.