(Guilford College aligns with Federal Government Guidelines)
Effective Date: June 30, 2024
Purpose: Guilford College recognizes the importance of supporting pregnant employees toensure their well-being, safety, and continued contribution to the workplace. The PregnantWorkers Fairness Act Policy aims to provide reasonable accommodations, promote equality,and prevent discrimination against pregnant workers.
Scope: This policy applies to all Guilford College employees who are pregnant, have recentlygiven birth, or have a related medical condition.
Definitions:
- Non-Discrimination: Guilford College prohibits discrimination against employeesbased on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. All employmentdecisions, including hiring, promotion, termination, and compensation, shall be madewithout regard to an individual’s pregnancy status.
- Reasonable Accommodations: Guilford College is committed to providing reasonableaccommodations to pregnant employees to enable them to perform their job dutieseffectively. Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to, modifiedwork schedules, temporary transfers to less strenuous or hazardous positions, access tolactation facilities, and ergonomic adjustments.
- Communication and Confidentiality: Employees who require accommodations due topregnancy or related conditions are encouraged to communicate their needs with theirsupervisor or the Office of Human Resources. All information regarding an employee’spregnancy or medical condition will be treated confidentially, in accordance withapplicable laws and regulations.
- Health and Safety: Guilford College will ensure that pregnant employees are notexposed to workplace conditions that may jeopardize their health or the health of theirunborn child. This includes providing necessary protective equipment, modifying jobduties as needed, and offering access to prenatal care resources.
- Training and Awareness: Guilford College will provide training and education tosupervisors, managers, and employees to raise awareness about the rights andresponsibilities outlined in the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Policy. This training willemphasize the importance of maintaining a supportive and inclusive work environmentfor pregnant individuals.
- Compliance: Guilford College will comply with all applicable federal, state, and locallaws pertaining to pregnancy discrimination and accommodation, including the PregnantWorkers Fairness Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- Implementation: This policy shall be disseminated to all employee through onlineemployee handbooks, orientation programs, and other appropriate channels.Supervisors and managers will receive additional training on how to implement anduphold the provisions of this policy effectively.
- Review and Revision: This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure itseffectiveness and compliance with evolving legal requirements and best practices. Anynecessary revisions will be made in consultation with relevant stakeholders, includingemployees and legal counsel.
- Conclusion: Guilford College is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportivework environment were all employees, including pregnant individuals, are treated withdignity, respect, and fairness. By implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness ActPolicy, Guilford College reaffirms its dedication to promoting equality and protecting therights of pregnant workers. Employees can request ADA (Americans with DisabilitiesAct) accommodations by sending an email to HR@guilford.edu.
Additional Information:
What You Should Know about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov).
https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-pregnant-workers-fairness-act