Washington D.C. Employment Law Update

On Wednesday, February 15, 2012, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) plans to hold a public meeting to discuss discrimination against pregnant workers and workers with caregiving responsibilities. According to the meeting agenda, three separate panels will address the following topics: understanding pregnancy and caregiver discrimination in today’s workplace; statutory framework and enforcement efforts; and the way forward: implications for the future.

In April 2009, the EEOC released a technical assistance document outlining employer best practices for avoiding discrimination against workers with caregiving responsibilities. More recently, the Department of Labor issued a proposed rule that implements the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) amendments made by the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2010 (FY 2010 NDAA), a law that, among other provisions, extends current military caregiver leave entitlements. At this point, it is unclear whether the agency plans to update its guidance regarding either pregnancy- or caregiver-related employment discrimination.

Those wishing to attend the meeting, to be held at 9:30 a.m. in the Commission Meeting Room on the First Floor of the EEOC Office Building, 131 “M” Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20507, are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance due to limited seating.

Photo credit: VladKol