Workplace Protections Expanded for Job Applicants and Pregnant Employees in Illinois
On Tuesday, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced he signed the Law to Stop Discrimination Against Pregnant Women in the Workplace and thereby expanded workplace protections to job applicants and employees experiencing pregnancy related conditions. We previously reported in detail on the legislation's significance in our "Important Changes Coming for Illinois Employers" legal update on June 4, 2014.
As a result, beginning January 1, 2015, Illinois employers (with 15 or more employees) and employment agencies are required to provide "reasonable accommodations" to employees and job applicants facing "pregnancy and childbirth related issues or medical or common conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth." These "reasonable accommodations" include modifications to the job application process and employment conditions that enable affected employees to perform their jobs, so long as the accommodations do not place an "undue hardship" on the employer.
Additionally, employers are required to inform employees of these new rights by positing bulletins in visible locations on the employer's premises.
If you have questions about updating your organization's policies and procedures with respect to pregnant applicants and/or employees, please contact a Faegre Baker Daniels employment lawyer.
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