New Jersey Employers Must Provide Pregnant Employees Accommodations under New Law

A new New Jersey law prohibits pregnancy discrimination in the workplace and requires employers to provide pregnant employees with reasonable, pregnancy-related accommodations, upon request, absent a showing of undue hardship. California and Maryland are other states that have extended their accommodation requirements to pregnant workers. The New Jersey law, signed by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on January 21, 2014, is effective immediately. The law amends the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, N.J.S.A. 10:5-12, which now protects 17 characteristics from discrimination.