Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women’s Rights and Protections

Women who choose to have children must not face discrimination in the workplace.

Our Position

Both federal and state laws prohibit workplace discrimination related to being pregnant and pregnancy-related harassment, including discrimination in hiring. The major employment issues concerning pregnant and breastfeeding women include:

• Pregnancy-related discrimination
• Job-protected leave
• Wage replacement while on leave
• Work accommodations that allow continued employment
• Adequate time and space for expressing breastmilk

Nationally and in the states, ACOG supports paid parental leave, separate from vacation and sick time.

ACOG also advocates on the state and federal level for legislation to facilitate continuation of breastfeeding in the workplace and public facilities, and for changes to the public environment that support breastfeeding locally and nationally.