Employment

Most women are able to work until their due date. If you are employed, it is your responsibility to work with your employer to reduce the potential for problems at your work site. This is done by:

• Avoiding prolonged sitting for > 2 hours without a break
• Avoiding prolonged standing for > 3 hours a day
• Limiting lifting to 25 pounds (unassisted)
• Avoiding exposure to pesticides, organic solvents, lead, ethylene oxide, ionizing radiation, dibromochloropropane, etc.
• Having adequate ventilation and an appropriate temperature in your workplace
• Allowing for adequate rest when you are home

If you choose to stop working before your baby is born, it is the responsibility of you and your employer to make appropriate arrangements. Maternity Leave (paid short-term disability) begins the day you go into labor. Any other paid short-term disability in pregnancy requires a diagnosis of a specific pregnancy complication.

If you feel that you are being exposed to an unhealthy work environment or that you are being discriminated against because of your pregnancy, you may wish to contact the following governmental organizations for help.

• U.S. Department of Labor: 800-959-3652 or www.dol.gov
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: 800-669-EEOC or www.eeoc.gov
• Woman’s Bureau of the Department of Labor: 800-827-5335 or www.dol.gov/dol.wb
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: 800-356-4674 or www.cdc.gov/niosh
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration: (202) 576-6339 or www.osha.gov