Advocates testify in support of protections for pregnant workers

(Concord, NH - nhpoliticalwire) Women’s rights advocates gathered in Concord Tuesday to offer their support for legislation sponsored by Sen. Martha Fuller Clark that would guarantee the rights of pregnant women in the workplace. Fuller Clark’s bill, SB 488, calls on employers to offer reasonable accommodations for pregnant and nursing workers, including more frequent or longer breaks, temporary transfer to a less strenuous or hazardous position, job restructuring, and other temporary modifications. This bipartisan bill is a companion bill to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a federal bill sponsored by both of New Hampshire’s US Senators, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) and Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R).

Sen. Fuller Clark spoke to the need for this legislation to protect a productive workforce.

“In today’s economy, the financial security of working families relies on the wages earned by women. Whether they be the primary breadwinner, a single mother, or family with two working parents, women are needing to stay at work farther into their pregnancy or returning to work shortly after the birth of their child. This legislation will ensure that women who must continue working to provide for their families are protected against discrimination and ensure simple, reasonable accommodations are made by their employers to allow them to continue working.”

Several women providing testimony told stories from their careers illustrating this need. One, an ER nurse, requested breaks because she was feeling ill but her request was denied; she ultimately had a hypertensive crisis and was forced to step out of the workforce for the remainder of her pregnancy in order to protect the health of herself and her baby. Another was a former postal worker who watched as men with broken legs or recovering from a burst appendix were routinely offered lighter duty while she was refused a different assignment during her pregnancies, some resulting in miscarriages.

Kary Jencks testified on behalf Granite State Progress & Education Fund and her own organization, New Hampshire Citizens Alliance, in support of the legislation.

“It is a bill whose time is long overdue for pregnant workers and their families. New Hampshire legislators need to stand with the women and families who are working hard every day trying to meet the basic needs of their children. Pregnancy discrimination complaints are on the rise nationally with more complaints filed in 2013 than in 1997. In 2013 nearly 70% of NH pregnant women worked throughout their pregnancy and they deserve workplace protections that guard against discrimination.”

“My colleague from Granite State Progress and I work for organizations that were willing to make necessary accommodations for us during our respective pregnancies. Not every pregnant employee is as fortunate; and not every employee is in a higher level management position that enables them to better advocate for the accommodations needed to keep a healthy pregnancy, secure employment, and continue to support a family. That is why New Hampshire women and families need SB 488.”

Jencks also noted that women make up 47% of New Hampshire’s workforce, of whom a majority are of sound reproductive age between 24-45. She provided the committee with names of supportive businesses and a list of the 22 states and municipalities that currently offer these protections to workers.

Speaking after the hearing, Granite State Progress executive director Zandra Rice Hawkins emphasized the importance of strengthening anti-pregnancy discrimination laws.

“A woman shouldn’t have to choose between her job and a healthy pregnancy. Many of these accommodations are easy lifts for employers, things like providing a stool for a pregnant woman rather than having her on her feet all day, or ensuring adequate water breaks so she doesn’t become dehydrated. These things may not sound groundbreaking, but pregnancy discrimination cases are actually on the rise in the US, and low-income or hourly workers are the most susceptible. Strengthening our laws will allow for healthier pregnancies and provide families more economic security by allowing women to stay in the workforce longer.”