Family and Medical may place a pregnant woman and/or her fetus at risk. Leave Act Pregnancy An employer’s decision to reassign or The federal Family and Medical terminate a female employee Leave Act was enacted “to balance because of pregnancy may be in the the demands of the workplace with considered discrimination based on the needs of families, to promote sex, under some circumstances. the stability and economic security of Workplace families, and to promote national A U.S. Supreme Court decision in interests in preserving family 1991 suggested that the safety of integrity.” potential offspring is best left to the parents, and if need be, to the The Act allows parents to take leave legislature. for pregnancy, medical, and other family-related reasons. To contact the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, call toll-free For more information about this Act, 1.800.482.3604 contact the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division at 1- TTY Users 1.877.878.8464 866-487-2365 or www.dol.gov. Website www.michigan.gov/mdcr

Workplace Hazards to the Fetus Federal and Michigan laws There is increasing scientific concern ensure and protect the rights about exposing women of of pregnant women in the childbearing age to hazardous Only Fair Is Fair. workplace substances or unsafe conditions at work. It is the employer’s responsibility to tell employees about Produced under authority of PA 453 and PA 220 of 1976, as amended. potentially harmful conditions or chemicals in the workplace. This is Revised September 2011 particularly true when the employer is Web only; no copies printed aware of workplace conditions that The Elliott-Larsen medically disabled by other non-work- What You Can Do related conditions or injuries. Civil Rights Act About Pregnancy Employees cannot be forced to begin Discrimination This Michigan civil rights act prohibits or return from a maternity leave at discrimination on the basis of sex. predetermined times. This includes, but is not limited to, If you believe you have been pregnancy, childbirth, or medical subjected to unlawful discrimination conditions related to pregnancy or based on pregnancy, or if you have childbirth. An individual affected by questions, contact the Michigan such conditions cannot be treated Department of Civil Rights. A differently for any employment-related customer service representative will purpose from another individual who discuss your concern to determine if is not so affected by similar inability to a formal civil rights complaint can be work. taken. If a formal complaint is filed, both parties will receive a copy of the An employer may not terminate a complaint and an explanation of how woman’s employment because of her the process will proceed. pregnancy. In December 2009, the Michigan legislature added an An employer cannot treat a pregnant The Michigan Department of Civil amendment clarifying that the employee differently than employees Rights is a neutral party and does not pregnancy protections under state with other temporary medical charge for its services. law are the same as those under disabilities for purposes of hiring, federal law. transfer, or accumulation of benefits while on leave. Compensation for time off during maternity leave must Federal Law be consistent with the employer’s policy for other types of leaves of The Pregnancy Discrimination Act is absence. an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The amendment requires that employees temporarily and medically disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions be treated in a like manner to employees temporarily and