Recently, a lawsuit filed by 17 states challenging federal rules on worker accommodations for abortions was dismissed by a federal judge in Arkansas. The lawsuit, spearheaded by Republican attorneys general from Arkansas and Tennessee, contested the rules set forth by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
These rules require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant or postpartum employees, including time off for abortions and recovery. Despite the lawsuit’s claim that the regulations exceeded the scope of the 2022 law, the judge denied their request for a nationwide injunction.
While Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin expressed disappointment, advocacy groups like A Better Balance support the EEOC rules as crucial for pregnant and postpartum workers. They argue that employers continue to violate the law in denying accommodations.
This legal battle has also drawn attention from the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups, emphasizing the importance of upholding the law to protect pregnant workers’ rights. As the regulations are set to go into effect soon, the debate around worker accommodations for abortions remains ongoing.