Navigating Accommodations Under the PWFA: Insights for Employers - Brian Shenker - Mission to Grow: A Small Business Guide to Cash, Compliance, and the War for Talent - Episode #118
How can employers navigate the complexities of accommodating pregnant workers while balancing operational needs and legal compliance under the new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA)? In this episode, we dive into the complexities of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and its implications for employers. Our guest expert unpacks the law's key aspects, including temporary removal of essential job functions, accommodating pregnant employees, the importance of documentation, and understanding undue hardship. Through practical examples from the EEOC’s final rules, this episode guides employers on how to navigate the PWFA while keeping compliance top of mind.
Takeaways:
- PWFA Overview: The PWFA allows for the temporary removal of essential job functions for pregnant employees, unlike the ADA, which focuses on accommodations that enable employees to perform essential functions.
- Interactive Process: Employers must engage in a thorough, interactive process to explore accommodations, even if they create an inconvenience, as long as it’s not an undue burden.
- EEOC Guidance: Specific examples from the EEOC’s final rules illustrate how accommodations might play out in various industries, such as temporarily assigning a park ranger’s patrol duties to other employees due to pregnancy-related limitations.
- Small Business Challenges: Smaller businesses with 15 employees may find it more challenging to accommodate, but the PWFA stresses temporary solutions and shared burdens among staff.
- Undue Hardship: Employers can deny accommodations that create significant difficulties or expenses, but this requires thorough documentation to withstand scrutiny.
- Importance of Documentation: Keeping detailed notes, even extemporaneous ones, is crucial for employers to defend their decisions, especially in potential legal situations.
- Commuting Accommodations: The law goes beyond just workplace adjustments; for example, commuting changes for pregnant employees with health conditions like sciatica are covered.
Quote of the Show:
- “So the goal of this was to put pregnant women in a place where they don't have to decide between economic security or health.” - Brian Shenker
Links:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-shenker-53708712/
- Company Website: https://www.jacksonlewis.com/
Ways to Tune In:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XThTdn7YC1lkAm0PgZUkj
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mission-to-grow-a-small-business-guide-to-cash-compliance-and-the-war-for-talent/id1725890976
- Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/328dddd0-3c4f-4b07-a0d3-13bdcb418486/mission-to-grow-a-small-business-guide-to-cash-compliance-and-the-war-for-talent?refMarker=null
- Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Mission-to-Grow-A-Small-Business-Guide-to-Cash-Compliance-and-the-War-for-Talent-Podcast/B0CS71KQFM?qid=1706208857&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=A1ME8MBECSVZ6K4D7CNT&pageLoadId=QBtg12mqKsuZPLGY&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c
- Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/mission-to-grow-a-small-busine-5591006
- Transistor: https://missiontogrow.asuresoftware.com/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AsureSoftware
Creators and Guests
Host
Mike Vannoy
Mike is a digital-first marketing executive with 25 years dedicated to helping HR companies thrive. As a board member of an AI software company and Chief Marketing Officer at Asure, he's been at the forefront of AI, HR compliance trends, and the changing demographics that shape today's marketplace. Under his leadership at Sales Engine Media, the company predominantly focused on the payroll, HR, and benefits industries, earning multiple spots on the Inc5000 list. Actively involved in multiple small businesses, Mike is a lifelong entrepreneur adept at navigating the changing workforce dynamics. He has held multiple executive roles at industry-leading HR firms, showcasing his expertise and leadership in the sector.
