What did the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 aim to amend?

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 was specifically aimed at amending Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This amendment clarified that discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions falls under the same protections against gender discrimination as outlined in Title VII.

The act ensures that pregnant individuals are treated the same as other employees who are similar in their ability or inability to work, thereby promoting equal opportunity in employment. This was significant because prior to this legislation, many women experienced discriminatory practices in the workplace concerning maternity leave and job security during and after pregnancy.

While the other options involve important labor laws, they are not directly influenced by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. The Family and Medical Leave Act addresses family leave, the Equal Pay Act focuses on wage equality regardless of gender, and the Fair Labor Standards Act pertains to minimum wage and overtime pay regulations. None of these laws address pregnancy discrimination directly, making the amendment to Title VII the primary focus of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.