What Businesses Must Uphold the PWFA?

When you look at the language of the Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act, you’ll see the term “covered employers.” A covered employer is, simply, an employer that is required to meet the new anti-discrimination laws codified by the PWFA.

How do you know if your employer is a covered employer? This is a broad category that includes: 

• Any employer in the private or public sector with 15 or more employees 
• Congress 
• Federal agencies 
• Labor organizations 

Unfortunately, employees who work for businesses with under 15 employees cannot cite PFWA violations if they believe they have faced discrimination related to their pregnancy. However, that doesn’t mean that small business employees shouldn’t consult a lawyer about potential workplace discrimination to determine whether they have a case because you may have rights under a different law. 

Learn more by reading our Comprehensive Guide to Pregnancy Discrimination.