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Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

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What Is the Protecting Pregnant Worker Fairness Act?

The Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act of 2014 (PPWFA) helps protect workers during pregnancy and after childbirth. It requires the District of Columbia employers to provide reasonable workplace accommodations for employees whose ability to perform their job duties is limited because of:

  • Pregnancy,

  • Childbirth,

  • Breastfeeding, or a

  • Related medical condition.

Typical reasonable accommodations can include but are not limited to:

  • More frequent or longer breaks;

  • Time off to recover from childbirth;

  • Temporarily transferring the employee to a less strenuous or hazardous position;

  • Purchasing or modifying work equipment, such as chairs;

  • Temporarily restructuring the employee’s position to provide light duty or a modified work schedule;

  • Permitting the employee to refrain from heavy lifting;

  • Relocating the employee’s work area; or

  • Providing private (non-bathroom) space for expressing breast milk.

Additionally, all District employers must post and maintain a PPWFA workplace poster in a visible place and provide an employee notice of the law within 10 days of an employee notifying them of their pregnancy or other condition addressed in the Act. You can find the workplace poster below.

Individuals who believe they were denied a reasonable accommodation, or subjected to discrimination or retaliation in violation of PPWFA may file a complaint with the DC Office of Human Rights (OHR). If a violation is found, employers may be required to provide monetary or other relief to the employee.

Breastfeeding Workers Have Rights

The PPWFA gives breastfeeding workers the right to reasonable accommodations related to breastfeeding. Workers receive additional rights related to breastfeeding under the D.C. Human Rights Act (DCHRA).

For more information on breastfeeding protections, click here to read and download OHR’s Workplace Poster: The Right to Breastfeed – Employee Rights and Employer Obligations in the Workplace.

Filing a Complaint with OHR

If an employee believes their employer has denied them their rights regarding the PPWFA, they have the right to file a claim of discrimination with OHR.

The complaint form is available in the following languages below and must be download and completed first.

Once you have completed the physical form, you can email this to [email protected], fax it to (202) 727-9589, mail or hand deliver this to our office at 441 4th Street NW, Suite 570N, Washington, DC 2000. Please note that an online version of this form is currently not available.

Workplace Posters and Resources

The following are required and optional signage employers need to display. Please read each resource carefully.

 

Workplace Poster: Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (Updated: May 17, 2026)

It is required by law for employers to display a physical copy of the PPWFA workplace poster below. The location needs to be easily accessible, not hidden, and in plain sight. The PPWFA Workplace Poster is available in the following languages:

OHR Workplace Poster: Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (Updated: May 14, 2024).

This optional workplace poster explains the PPWFA and the requirement of District of Columbia employers to provide reasonable workplace accommodations for employees whose ability to perform job duties is limited because of pregnancy, childbirth, chest/breastfeeding, or a related medical condition. This signage is not required to be posted.

It is available in the following languages:

OHR Workplace Poster: The Right to Breastfeed – Employee Rights and Employer Obligations in the Workplace (Updated: June 1, 2026)

This optional workplace poster explains how breastfeeding is a protected right under the DCHRA and related regulations. It highlights the rights workers have, role of employers, and additional relevant information for breastfeeding employees. This signage is not required to be posted.

It is available in the following languages:

Additional Questions and Customer Conduct 

If you have any further questions please contact us via:

  • E-mail: [email protected]
  • In-Person: 441 4th Street NW, Suite 570N, Washington, DC 20001
  • Phone: (202) 727-4559

When you call or visit us and require language assistance, our staff will connect you with a live interpreter to ensure we can assist you effectively.

Please note that while OHR is available to answer questions to the best of our ability, any information provided should not be considered legal advice.

OHR is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and productive environment for all. Harassing, threatening, or abusive behavior interferes with our ability to serve the public and will not be tolerated. You can learn more by reading OHR’s Customer Conduct Policy.

 

This webpage was last updated on July 7, 2026.

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