Supreme Court Pregnancy Discrimination Case: Young v UPS

Peggy Young, a former employee of UPS, became pregnant in 2006 and was instructed by her doctor to not lift more than 20 pounds. Her normal duties at UPS, consisting mostly of delivering letters, very rarely required her to lift anything heavier than 20 pounds. However, UPS forced her to take unpaid leave as she was “too much of a liability” and she had to go without her employer-sponsored health insurance while pregnant. Other employees, those with disabilities, people with on-the-job injuries and even employees who had lost their commercial drivers’ licenses as a result of DUI convictions, received “light duty,” which was an accommodation UPS refused to provide Peggy Young.

Fighting for My Fair Share

Research has proven that women are paid less than their male counterparts performing identical jobs under identical conditions. Women continue to be undervalued and underpaid employees in nearly every occupation. In addition to raising awareness for the need of fair pay, Equal Pay Day highlights the complexities of intersectionality in employment and wage. Currently, it Read more …

Don’t Throw Social Security Under the Bus!

This is a big week for Republicans in Congress. They’ve been telling us for months what they’re against — anything that helps women and working families, and anything proposed by Barack Obama — now, it’s their turn to say what they’re for as they unveil their new budget plan. Most of the media coverage is Read more …

How Low Can The Republican-Led Senate Go?

Senate legislation intended to increase penalties for human trafficking and provide additional support for survivors was revealed to be a stalking horse for yet more attacks by Senate Republicans against some of the most vulnerable women and girls.

SCOTUS Playing Politics with Healthcare in King v. Burwell

Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for King v. Burwell, the latest Supreme Court case aimed at dismantling the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).  This particular case calls into question one very specific phrase in the legislation, which, until very recently, was not a site of contention for either political party.  Ultimately, Read more …

Girls, Young Women at Higher Risk of Concussion Injuries

We learned this week that concussions among girls and young women are something to take very seriously. Much of the talk in recent years has been focused on concussions among professional football players: there can be serious lifelong ailments and early death among players who sustain concussions. But now we hear that girls and young women as student athletes are at more significant risk of injury due to athletics-related concussions than boys and young men.

Girls, Young Women at Higher Risk of Concussion Injuries

We learned this week that concussions among girls and young women are something to take very seriously. Much of the talk in recent years has been focused on concussions among professional football players: there can be serious lifelong ailments and early death among players who sustain concussions. But now we hear that girls and young Read more …