The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation a few weeks ago that mandates businesses provide further accommodations for the convenience of pregnant employees. Although the Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 2694) has yet to pass the Senate and may never, in fact become law, it was passed by the House with overwhelming bipartisan support in a vote of 329 – 73. And, 29 states along with 4 municipalities already have similar laws on the books. Regardless, the bill dictates that employers of 15 or more workers must make reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers in regard to “the known limitations related to the pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions” and cannot require such a worker to accept a work condition without an interactive process, nor can they deny employment opportunities because it would require the employer make an accommodation. If you believe that these accommodations are already mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, they largely are, but this legislation goes further in underscoring the need for the employer to work with the employee to identify the necessary accommodations. At the state level, the Tennessee Pregnant Workers Fairness Act went into effect yesterday and it is very similar to the federal proposal.  It applies to employers with at least 15 employees and mandates that employers make reasonable accommodations through interactive discussions with pregnant employees regarding the known limitations of pregnancy.