Greater Louisville Inc.: Op-Ed: Employers, Working Women Will Benefit From Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Louisville KY

27 October, 2021

5:13 PM

Description

Press release from Greater Louisville, Inc.: 2021-10-27 This article first appeared in Louisville Business First on October 22, 2021 This article first appeared in  on October 22, 2021 It has never been more challenging to run a business than it is today. Aside from making up for months of shutdowns and economic restrictions due to the pandemic, business owners are now facing a critical workforce shortage that is once again forcing many to make difficult decisions to reduce capacities or shutdown altogether. Staff is overworked. Positions are vacant for months. And employers are seeing astronomical turnover. While the workforce challenges we see today are multifaceted and existed in our region prior to the pandemic, data illustrates that the pandemic forced a disproportionate number of women out of the workforce. Although some women have trickled back in, a large number are still waiting on the sidelines due to family obligations and childcare shortages. As these underlying issues are addressed through government and community action, we must also do more to empower women to rejoin and stay in the workforce in the long-term. That's why it is more critical than ever that we set clear, national guidelines to keep pregnant workers healthy and on the job. Right now, there is no federal law providing an explicit right to accommodations, like restroom breaks and a temporary reprieve from heavy lifting to pregnant workers. This press release was produced by Greater Louisville, Inc.. The views expressed here are the author's own.