New Bipartisan Laws Will Protect Working Women

The #MeToo movement and the exodus of women from the workforce during the pandemic has spurred Congress to act by providing more protections for working women.

As part of the 2023 government funding bill passed late last year, Congress passed two bills that will protect the rights of working mothers. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act guarantees reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers; the PUMP Act will expand protections and close employer loopholes for nursing parents who need to pump at work during the first year of the baby’s life.

Additionally, President Joe Biden signed legislation in early 2022 that ended forced arbitration for sexual harassment cases and voided some nondisclosure agreements that prevented women from speaking out.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the share of women in the workplace fell to 56% in 2020, the lowest rate since 1987. Nearly 80% of working women will become pregnant at some point in their careers. The new federal legislation will address workplace concerns that women have faced for decades. Women will now be safer and more comfortable at work than before.