Shipping giant XPO Logistics is facing vocal criticism over allegations that it mistreated pregnant workers, underscoring the need for companies to do right by employees who are expecting, experts say.
Nearly 100 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to the leaders of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on Tuesday calling for a congressional investigation following media reports “exposing the alleged disturbing treatment of employees” by XPO, including that it worked pregnant women to the point of miscarriage. If employers aren’t already taking this issue seriously, they need to, experts say.
McCarter & English LLP attorney Hugh Murray said there is a “long history of paternalistic” employers assuming pregnant women can’t do certain work that businesses would be ill-advised to repeat. He cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1991 ruling in United Automobile Workers v. Johnson Controls Inc. , which involved a policy barring women of childbearing age from taking jobs that exposed them to lead because it could harm fetuses.
Click to read full article: “XPO Pregnancy Outcry Seen as ‘Wake-Up Call’ for Employers”