Moelis L S
Am J Law Med. 1985;11(3):369-90.
"Fetal vulnerability programs," which are employer attempts to protect employees' unborn fetuses from harm caused by the mothers' exposure to hazardous material in the workplace, have been challenged as a form of employment discrimination. This Note analyzes the recent judicial application of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and the disparate impact theory to fetal vulnerability cases. The Note also examines the business necessity defense's accommodation of legitimate employer interests. The Note concludes that a more potent business necessity defense, a stricter standard for evaluating alternative protective measures, and a judicial interpretation of the PDA which is more consistent with congressional intent are necessary for fair and reasonable resolution of these cases.
“胎儿脆弱性计划”是雇主试图保护员工未出生胎儿免受母亲在工作场所接触有害物质所造成伤害的举措，但该计划已被质疑为一种就业歧视形式。本笔记分析了《怀孕歧视法》（PDA）和差别影响理论在近期胎儿脆弱性案件中的司法应用。本笔记还考察了商业必要性抗辩对雇主合法利益的考量。本笔记的结论是，为了公平合理地解决这些案件，需要更有力的商业必要性抗辩、评估替代保护措施的更严格标准，以及对《怀孕歧视法》更符合国会意图的司法解释。
