Civil rights groups pushing USPS on pregnant postal workers’ rights

In an open letter to US Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan, civil rights groups have argued that the US Postal Service should provide greater “work place accommodations”, such as lighter duties, for pregnant postal workers. According to a report in The Washington Post, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the National Partnership for Women and Families said: “The Postal Service continues to maintain a legally indefensible position that allows for discriminatory treatment against its own employees.”

However, a USPS spokesperson was quoted as saying that the postal service’s “policy fully complies with existing law related to the accommodation of employees with workplace limitations, including pregnancy-related limitations” adding that “employees with pregnancy-related limitations may also, if eligible, apply for light-duty assignments under the terms of applicable collective-bargaining agreements and postal policies”.

In March, the US Supreme Court came to a 6-3 judgement on the case of Peggy Young v. United Parcel Service (UPS) that recognized that pregnant women have a right to equal treatment in the workplace under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978. Following this ruling, the National Partnership for Women and Families issued a statement saying: “The decision issues a clear and welcome message to employers that accommodating most non-pregnant workers with injuries or disabilities while refusing to accommodate most pregnant workers is against the law. All employers should now re-examine their policies to ensure that pregnant women will not face discrimination on the job.”

The open letter to the US Postmaster General was date 7 April. Click here to view a PDF version.