NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Supports Efforts to Ensure All Women Have Time Away from Work for Maternity Leave
Columbus, OH—Today, Kellie Copeland, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, testified in support for new changes to the Ohio Administrative Code that would ensure pregnant women are allowed no less than twelve weeks away from work for maternity leave. Currently, the rule states that employers must allow a "sufficient" amount of leave for pregnancy-related absences, but women are left to guess whether they will be allowed enough leave to have healthy pregnancies and recovery times, and still keep their jobs. Copeland offered the following statement at the Civil Rights Commission Public Hearing: “My name is Kellie Copeland, and I am the Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio. I am here to testify on behalf of the thousands of members of my organization, as well as on behalf of the pro-choice majority in our state and our country. “I am here today to express our strong support for the proposed changes to Chapter 4112-5-05(G) of the Ohio Administrative Code, a rule that would change the amount of time an employer must allow for pregnancy, childbirth or maternity leave from a "sufficient" amount of time to no less than twelve weeks, and would also ensure that pregnant women are treated the same as other employees who are similarly situated in relation to their ability to perform a job’s requirements. “Ohio’s current rule ambiguously states that employers must allow a "sufficient" amount of leave for pregnancy-related absences, but fails to explicitly state what, at a minimum, would be considered “sufficient.” This standard fails to meet the needs of women and their employers. Women are left to guess whether they will be allowed a specific amount of leave in order to have healthy pregnancies and recovery times, and employers are unable to set employment practices that will clearly meet the standards set forth in Ohio’s Fair Employment Practices Act. “NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio’s mission is to support and protect, as a fundamental right and value, a woman’s freedom to make decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including the right to bear healthy children, prevent unintended pregnancy and choose legal abortion. “This proposed rule change reflects these core values. Employed women should be allowed a sufficient amount of time away from work for maternity reasons, and we should do everything possible to provide the resources and employment environment that supports the decision to bear a child. “I will continue to work with policymakers to put forth legislation that supports all Ohio families, improves women’s health options, and protects private, personal decision making. That is a goal we should all agree upon, and one that we can achieve together. I hope that this Commission will send a clear message to Ohioans that the decision to bear a child is one that the Commission fully supports by enthusiastically adopting this proposed rule change. Thank you.”
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