The PWFA and Supporting Pregnant Workers: Insights from Employment Law Expert Vianei Braun

In this episode, we're diving into the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) with Vianei Braun, an esteemed employment law expert with over 30 years of experience. The PWFA is a crucial law that's reshaping the workplace for pregnant employees, with the final regulations released and implemented in June of 2024. In this episode, we unpack the nuances of the PWFA and its implications for both employers and pregnant employees. We'll explore the necessity of reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related issues and what you need to know about these needs. We'll also highlight how the law promotes a supportive work environment by encouraging interactive discussions between employers and employees, rather than defaulting to leave policies.Additionally, we'll touch on the changes brought about by the PWFA compared to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including the streamlined process for quickly handling accommodation requests and the importance of training frontline managers to recognize accommodation requests. As we discuss these new regulations, we'll also note the ongoing controversy over what is considered a related medical condition.Stay tuned as we provide actionable advice for updating workplace policies, training frontline supervisors, and fostering a positive reputation for your business. Learn more about leadership training on the PWFA and more:KortneyRoss.com/LeadershipTrainingConnect with today's guest:LinkedIn: vianeibraunattorneyWebsite: www.deckerjones.comVianei Braun leads the employment law practice at Decker Jones, P.C., a full-service law firm in Fort Worth. She has been recognized as a Texas Monthly “Super Lawyer” and has been selected as a “Top Lawyer” in Labor & Employment law by Fort Worth and 360 West magazines.Vianei is also a member of the Board of Directors of First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIN), a banking institution with assets of $13 billion and 79 banking locations throughout Texas. Vianei serves on the board’s Compensation and Risk Committees and chairs the Advisory Board of First Financial Bank’s Fort Worth Region. In addition, Vianei serves on the Board of Trustees and the Audit and Compliance Committee of Texas Health Resources. Vianei is an honors graduate of Princeton University and the University of Texas School of Law. Vianei has been honored as a “Great Woman of Texas” by the Fort Worth Business Press, and as a member of the “Fort Worth 400” by Fort Worth Inc. Vianei lives in Benbrook with a pack of rescue Chihuahuas and her husband Jason, an attorney in the enforcement division of the SEC.Connect with us at:KortneyRoss.comLinkedIn: @kortneyrossInstagram: @nextgenworkcultureFacebook: @nextgenworkculture