What does the Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibit?

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. This legislation ensures that individuals who are pregnant or have recently given birth are treated equally in the workplace, particularly in terms of hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, and benefits. It recognizes pregnancy-related conditions as a valid area of protection under employment discrimination laws.

The act expanded the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to clarify that discrimination based on pregnancy is a form of sex discrimination. As a result, employers must not discriminate against employees or applicants who are pregnant or have recently given birth, and they must also provide the same health benefits for pregnancy-related conditions as they do for other medical conditions. This legal framework established by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act is critical in promoting workplace equality and safeguarding the rights of pregnant individuals.

Other options provided do not capture the specific focus of the law, which is strictly about pregnancy-related matters, rather than broader categories of discrimination like race, gender in a general sense, or discrimination during a specific phase of employment such as hiring.