Maryland employers should understand that there are state laws that protect employees who are disabled due to pregnancy.
The Maryland Reasonable Accommodations for Disabilities Due to Pregnancy Act, which went into effect on October 1, 2013, requires employers in Maryland with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees who experience a disability that is “caused or contributed to by pregnancy or childbirth.” The reasonableness of the accommodations is determined on a case-by-case basis. An employer subject to this law is also required to post, in a conspicuous location, and also in their employee handbook, information setting forth the employee rights under the law.
Employers covered by these laws should ensure that their policies, procedures and practices comply with all mandates of these laws.
Please contact a legal advisor should you have questions regarding any of these laws.