A federal judge in Arkansas has ruled that a lawsuit filed by 17 states challenging federal rules entitling workers to time off and other accommodations for abortions lacks standing. The lawsuit, led by Arkansas and Tennessee, was filed against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in response to rules published for employers and workers to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a 2022 law requiring employers to make 'reasonable accommodations' for pregnant or postpartum employees.
The rules include provisions for pregnancy workplace accommodations such as time off for prenatal appointments, additional bathroom breaks, and permission to carry snacks. Notably, the rules also allow workers to request time off to obtain an abortion and recover from the procedure.
