The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued a new rule clarifying the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) that is sparking some controversy given its allowance of paid time off for medical procedures that could include abortion. The rule states that employees should be provided “reasonable accommodation” for “pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions,” which includes abortion. The statute was applauded by pro-choice and abortion advocates, but critics argued that it could force employers, who may object to abortion, to passively participate in employees’ abortion decisions as well as potentially promote a larger pro-abortion plan. After the rule was announced…

The Equal Pay Act of 1964 made it illegal to pay employees different wages based on their sex. In addition, the National Labor Relations Act says that employers cannot prevent employees from discussing wages and other issues. And in 2009, Congress passed, and President Obama signed, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which amends the 1964 Civil Rights Act to state that the 180-day statute of limitations for filing an equal pay lawsuit resets with each new paycheck affected by that discriminatory action. Nevertheless, the gap between men’s and women’s wages has persisted. Although the wage gap varies by State…