Last week, A Better Balance launched a new national bilingual campaign to inform Latinas about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a new law that protects pregnant and postpartum workers against discrimination in the workplace. The organization offers a free, confidential work-family legal helpline (1-833-633-3222), providing direct services to individuals in both English and Spanish. As part of the campaign, the organization released a new guide for pregnant and postpartum workers in Spanish, which explains the law in clear terms, and provides sample letters they can send to their employer and links to resources for additional support.
A Better Balance, the national work-family legal advocacy organization that led the ten-year movement for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), is launching the public education initiative to address a national problem that disproportionately affects countless Latinas who have faced discrimination and been denied the support they need at work during pregnancy and after giving birth.
“The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is one of the most significant civil rights victories our country has seen in decades,” said A Better Balance Co-Founder and Co-President Dina Bakst. “Our research and experience show that pregnant and postpartum Latinas across the country disproportionately confront discrimination, unfair treatment, and are too often forced off the job just because they choose to become mothers. All too often, Latinas are unaware that this harsh treatment is illegal and that there is a new, national law that is on their side.”
All too often, Latinas are unaware that this harsh treatment is illegal and that there is a new, national law that is on their side.”
Dina Bakst, A Better Balance
The PWFA guarantees pregnant and postpartum workers a right to reasonable accommodations they need for their health, including: Light duty, Telework, Time off for prenatal appointments and recovering from childbirth, Breaks for food, water, and rest from heat, and more.
The law ensures that millions of pregnant workers, and those who have recently given birth, can protect their health without risking their paycheck.
“Thanks to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, pregnant and postpartum workers nationwide are finally afforded fairness, dignity, and equality under the law,” added Bakst. “But the law is only effective if workers know it exists. A Better Balance is committed to helping empower the Latina community with critical information about the law and the support they need to exercise their rights in the workplace.”
A Better Balance is a national nonprofit legal advocacy organization dedicated to advancing justice for workers, so they can care for themselves and their loved ones without jeopardizing their economic security. Its free and confidential work-family legal helpline (1-833-NEED-ABB) provides direct support to individuals in both English and Spanish.
