Pregnancy discrimination and maternity leave laws

Abstract

This article examines the current status of federal and state law regarding job preservation for the period of pregnancy-related disability. It also examines the issues of partial wage replacement and parental leave for child-rearing purposes. The thesis is that despite the federal laws prohibiting pregnancy discrimination, the rights of pregnant workers remain far from uniform or extensive. After analyzing state maternity and parental leave laws, recent United States Supreme Court pronouncements concerning such legislation, and state unemployment compensation provisions, the authors recommend a new national priority for parental leave with some wage replacement.