Panel OKs expanding maternity leave rights
Action affects businesses with 4 or more workers Akron Beacon Journal staff report Pubished in the Akron Beacon Journal 10/26/2007 COLUMBUS: The Ohio Civil Rights Commission voted 4-1 on Thursday to require businesses that have four or more employees to extend 12 weeks of maternity leave for workers with a doctor's excuse. Toni Delgado, a commission spokeswoman, said the commission was using its authority to protect pregnant women in the workplace. The commission's action must be reviewed by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, which is composed of lawmakers, possibly in December before it would go into effect as soon as January. Currently, companies with 50 or more employees are required to extend 12 weeks of unpaid leave to a number of employees, including pregnant women, under the federal Family Medical Leave Act. Delgado said the commission is using its authority under sexual discrimination laws in Ohio to authorize the 12 weeks of leave with doctor approval. The lone vote against the idea was cast by Grace Ramos, a commissioner from Beavercreek in the Dayton area. Beacon Journal staff report COLUMBUS: The Ohio Civil Rights Commission voted 4-1 on Thursday to require businesses that have four or more employees to extend 12 weeks of maternity leave for workers with a doctor's excuse. Toni Delgado, a commission spokeswoman, said the commission was using its authority to protect pregnant women in the workplace. The commission's action must be reviewed by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, which is composed of lawmakers, possibly in December before it would go into effect as soon as January. Currently, companies with 50 or more employees are required to extend 12 weeks of unpaid leave to a number of employees, including pregnant women, under the federal Family Medical Leave Act. Delgado said the commission is using its authority under sexual discrimination laws in Ohio to authorize the 12 weeks of leave with doctor approval. The lone vote against the idea was cast by Grace Ramos, a commissioner from Beavercreek in the Dayton area. You can also read this article on the Akron Beacon Journal website.
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