Hagåtña, Guam — The Guam Department of Labor is reminding employers that new signage tied to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act must be posted in workplaces within 90 days now that the law’s rules and regulations have been signed into public law.
According to GDOL, the posting requirement applies to employers with 15 or more employees. The agency said those employers must display a visible PWFA notice of compliance poster at their place of business under 17 GAR § 6203.
The department said the law requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions unless doing so would create an undue hardship. The law also establishes complaint procedures, gives GDOL authority to request information and inspect worksites, and allows for monetary fines and possible mandatory training.
GDOL said the required notice must be in a format designed and approved by the agency’s Fair Employment Practice Division and must be placed in a conspicuous location. The department also said inspectors may conduct site visits to check compliance.
Full enforcement of the signage requirement will begin on May 28.
“The purpose of this new signage and law is to bring awareness to pregnant workers about policies in the workplace,” Acting GDOL Director Gerard Toves said in the release. He said the department wants to ensure workers’ rights are enforced and that employees have a way to request reasonable accommodations while maintaining their health, safety, and livelihoods.
GDOL said employers seeking a copy of the statute, rules, and compliance poster can find them through the department’s Fair Employment Practice Division resources.
