The most recent amendment to the New York City Human Rights Law takes effect January 30, 2014. It requires employers to reasonably accommodate employees based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions unless doing so constitutes an "undue hardship."
Employers also must provide written notice to each employee of the right to be free from discrimination in relation to pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, in the form and manner determined by the New York City Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR). The notice requirement is effective immediately for all new hires, while all existing employees must receive written notice on or before May 30, 2014. The form of notice designated by the NYCCHR is available in English and several foreign languages on its website.
Employers also should consider posting the notice in a workplace area accessible to employees or on a company intranet page, as well as adding or revising a policy in their employee handbooks regarding the accommodation of pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions.
For more information on the new law, please review our prior client alerts: " New York City Expressly Requires Reasonable Accommodation of Pregnant Employees, Adds Notice Obligations," " New York City Issues New Pregnancy & Employment Rights Notice in English, Foreign Language Versions to Follow," and " NYC Issues Foreign Language Versions of New Pregnancy & Employment Rights Notice."
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