In January 2014, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter signed into law an amendment to the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance, expanding local law employment protections for pregnant women. As we reported in our March 10, 2014 Alert, the Ordinance now requires employers to extend reasonable accommodations to employees for needs related to pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition, provided that the accommodation will not cause an undue hardship to the employer and the employee is otherwise qualified to satisfy the requisites of the job.
Employers covered by the Ordinance are subject to a notice-posting requirement. By April 20, 2014, employers must provide written notice of the right to be free from discrimination in relation to pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions and the right to reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions to all new and existing employees. In addition, the Ordinance provides that employers may post the notice conspicuously in an area accessible to employees.
A copy of the Notice required by the Ordinance is now available for downloading via the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations website at: http://www.phila.gov/HumanRelations/PDF/pregnancy_poster.pdf.
Philadelphia employers should consider taking this opportunity to ensure compliance with the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance, including making updates to employee handbooks and policies concerning discrimination in employment.
If you have any questions about this Alert, please contact any of the attorneys in our Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group or the attorney in the firm with whom you are regularly in contact.
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