Columbus: On August 1, 2007, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) held an administrative hearing on proposed changes to a provision of the Ohio Administrative Code addressing pregnancy discrimination in the workplace in an effort to receive public feedback on pregnancy leave and the obligations of employers.

At this hearing, the Commission received testimony on the proposed amendments to Chapter 4112-5-05 (G) (pregnancy discrimination) of the Ohio Administrative Code.

In summary, the proposed amendment provides unambiguous guidance on the issue of leave and states precisely how much leave an employer needs to provide in order to avoid a finding that its pregnancy/maternity leave policy has a disparate impact on the basis of pregnancy. The amendment also ensures that pregnant employees are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in light duty programs, temporary working assignments, flexible work schedules and other forms of job modification.

“Female employees have multifaceted roles and abilities as both mothers and employees. The proposed amendment will hopefully ensure that no woman in Ohio will have to choose between keeping her job or raising a family,” said G. Michael Payton, Executive Director of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. “In strengthening the rights of female employees, we are also strengthening and retaining Ohio’s growing and diverse workforce.”

See http://crc.ohio.gov/ for a copy of the proposed amendment, or at www.registerofohio.state.oh.us