3-D Printing Creates New Dimension of IP Concerns

Michael Monyok’s article “3-D Printing Creates New Dimension of IP Concerns” recently appeared in the Legal Intelligencer.

Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Event

Andrea Geraghty is moderating a panel discussion on “The Effects of the Energy Industry on Western Pennsylvania” at next week’s CREW Pittsburgh event. Use this link for a description of the program and to register.

Planning An Exit Strategy

Patricia Farrell and Joshua Hoffman recently wrote this article, “Worst Time To Plan Exit Strategy Is When You Need To Exit”, for The Legal Intelligencer.

Third Party Supplement Needs Trust And More

Tune in tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. to 101.5 WORD-FM to hear Michele Conti continue her discussion from last week about why it is important to be proactive in your planning strategies for a disabled loved one. Michele will discuss the differences between a Third Party Supplement Needs Trust, a Payback Special Needs Trust, and a Pooled Special Needs Trust.

U.S. Supreme Court Provides Guidance on Pregnancy-Related Accommodations

Elaina Smiley
es@muslaw.com
412.456.2821

On March 25, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in the case of Young v. United Parcel Service, Inc., involving whether accommodations are required for pregnant employees. Young brought suit against UPS for failing to accommodate her pregnancy-related lifting restriction. In this case, the employee claimed that UPS accommodated most non-pregnant employees with lifting restrictions and categorically denied the same accommodation to pregnant workers. UPS had policies that accommodated other workers such as those injured on the job, those with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and those who lost Department of Transportation certifications. UPS argued that Young did not fit within any of these categories; therefore, UPS did not discriminate against her by denying her an accommodation for her pregnancy. The lower courts agreed with UPS.

There has been a recent flurry of activity involving what accommodations must be provided to pregnant employees. In July of 2014, the EEOC issued Enforcement Guidance on Pregnancy Discrimination and Related Issues. The EEOC's Guidance set forth an expanded view on the availability of light duty work and accommodations required for pregnant employees. The EEOC's Guidance contradicted cases which have held that medical conditions related to pregnancy generally were not impairments within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Supreme Court criticized the EEOC's Guidance stating that the Guidance was issued after the Supreme Court granted certiorari in the case and that the Guidance is "inconsistent with positions for which the Government has long advocated" and that the EEOC failed to explain the basis for its guidance. Therefore, the Supreme Court states that it "cannot rely significantly on the EEOC's determination." However, it is noteworthy, that the Supreme Court declined to address the 2008 ADA amendments which expanded the definition of disability, and it did not address whether pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions could be considered a disability.

Despite the Supreme Court's apparent annoyance with the EEOC, the court vacated the judgment and remanded the case for further consideration on the combined effect of UPS's policies and why UPS could accommodate so many others but not pregnant employees. The Supreme Court set forth the standard in cases involving pregnancy-related accommodations:

[A] plaintiff alleging that the denial of an accommodation constituted disparate treatment under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act may make out a ... case by showing... that she belongs to the protected class, that she sought accommodation, that the employer did not accommodate her, and that the employer did accommodate others "similar in their ability or inability to work."

The burden then shifts to the employer to justify its refusal for the accommodation by showing a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for denying the accommodation. The Supreme Court stated that the employer cannot simply claim that it is more expensive or less convenient to permit pregnant employees the accommodation when it provides accommodations to others. If the employer comes up with a legitimate non-discriminatory reason for the denial of the accommodation, the Plaintiff must show that the employer's proffered reasons are pretext. The pregnant employee can create a genuine issue of material fact by providing evidence that the employer accommodates a large percentage of non-pregnant workers while failing to accommodate a large percentage of pregnant workers.

The practical implications of this decision are that employers should closely scrutinize and seek legal advice in instances where a pregnant employee requests an accommodation that has been granted to other employees and should also review their current accommodation policies and practices.  

For more information about pregnancy-related accommodations and other employment law matters, contact Elaina Smiley.

Michele Conti Radio Show

Tune in tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. to 101.5 WORD-FM to hear Michele Conti provide an overview of the planning options you should consider having in place for a special needs person.

Ally Award Reception

We are proud to sponsor the Allegheny County Bar Association’s 2015 Ally Award Reception coming up on April 16. Use this link for more information.

Radio Show - Featuring Jess Krchmar of CareBuilders at Home

Tune in tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. to 101.5 WORD-FM to hear Michele Conti review the benefits of allowing the elderly to stay at home as long as possible. The show’s guest this week will be Jess Krchmar with CareBuilders at Home and she will discuss possible options and planning strategies.

Construction Defect Litigation Seminar

Jason Yarbrough will be speaking at the “Construction Defect Litigation: From A to Z” seminar. It is sponsored by National Business Institute and will be held on April 21 from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South. Use this link to learn more.