The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) believes that women’s financial security is a priority for the financial services industry.
Women are very often the financial decision makers and primary breadwinners for their families. A pregnancy, difficult or not, should not create an economic disruption for a woman’s family.
That is why ACLI applauds the passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, HR 2694, by the House of Representatives.
This legislation will help ensure that pregnant employees will have the maximum opportunity to stay in the workplace, which is critical to the economic security of America’s women and their families.
Employers should accommodate women throughout their careers as they expand their families. Women need the protection and security of knowing that having a child will not displace their work nor threaten their income. Their pregnancies and returns to work should be free of discriminatory practices. All reasonable accommodations should be made at the workplace to allow women to remain and thrive in their career.
ACLI and our member companies are committed to providing paid medical leave through wage replacement insurance to the American workforce, including pregnant workers. Through our consumer products, we make it easier for employees to remain in the workplace. These benefits provided through employer-insurer partnerships are vital to the health of the workforce and the financial security of women and their families.
Lauryl Jackson is Vice President, Federal Relations for Financial Income Security and Diversity & Inclusion for the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI). Prior to joining ACLI in January 2020, she led government affairs strategy for the priorities of the pharmaceutical industry.
