In The News...

Did PWFA create right for new moms to take maternity leave? EEOC hints it might have

HR pros know that employers with 50 or more workers must provide unpaid time off for new parents who wish to bond with newborns under the FMLA. Recovering from childbirth is also covered.

But what about smaller employers, say those with 15 or more workers not covered by the FMLA? And those without available FMLA time?

According to newly released guidance from the EEOC, those workers may be entitled to "reasonable accommodations" during recovery in the form of unpaid time off under the recently enacted Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The new federal law takes effect June 27.

According to the EEOC's dedicated PWFA website, the agency will soon issue implementing regulations. Meanwhile, the agency lists possible reasonable accommodations contemplated by the law's drafters--including the right to "take leave or time off to recover from childbirth."

This could be viewed as a new form of federally mandated maternity leave. Once proposed regulations are announced, we will know more.

Online resource Access the new PWFA information at www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-pregnant-workers-fairness-act.

Momentum building at state level to turn gig workers into employees

New York is taking steps to join California in reclassifying gig workers as employees. Legislation currently in committee in the New York State Senate, S. 2052, looks to "reclassify more workers as employees rather than independent contractors in order for them to receive benefits such as healthcare and retirement."

But the latest installment of research on the U.S. gig economy from the venerable British service known as Legal & General (founded in 1836) demonstrates that most independent workers would rather remain independent than join the corporate ranks as employees.

Fiercely independent: Legal & General researchers say that a fierce independent-mindedness permeated the data. Here are a few highlights:

* 61% of workers surveyed say being able to work when they want is very important.

* One in five U.S. gig workers say they could not work in a corporate setting.

* 53% say not having a boss is the main benefit of gig work.

* Less than 10% of independent workers were interested in the idea of returning to a traditional workplace to advance their career.

* 11% said ethical problems connected with corporate America were an important reason for their choice to work independently.

FTC extends...