News

WorkLife Law’s Next Chapter: Message from Incoming Co-Directors Jessica Lee and Liz Morris

March 26, 2024

As WorkLife Law’s founding director Joan Williams recently announced, she is passing the baton to the next generation of WorkLife Law leaders this summer. Incoming Co-Directors Jessica Lee and Liz Morris are excited to step into their new roles leading the Center in our fight for economic security, racial justice, and health equity for workers, students, and the families they care for. Click here to read their message introducing themselves and sharing their vision for WorkLife Law’s future.

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WorkLife Law’s Leadership Change

March 21, 2024

Twenty-five years after founding the Center for WorkLife Law, Director Joan C. Williams is passing to the next generation the leadership of the Cener’s work advancing legal protections for caregiving workers and students. This summer, Liz Morris, the Center’s Deputy Director, and Jessica Lee, its Senior Staff Attorney, will become co-directors of the Center for WorkLife Law. Joan will start her own next chapter as the founding director of the Equality Action Center at UC Law SF, along with SVP Jamie Dolkas and Research Director Rachel Korn. Click here to read Joan’s letter announcing the big news and celebrating that we now have two organizations focused on moving us to a world without inequalities based on race, class and gender. 

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Our Community Health Worker Training on Supporting Pregnant Farmworkers Made a Difference, According to New Research

February 23, 2024

A research report published this month found that our perinatal promotora training made an impact and highlighted the need for more trainings aimed at community health workers in farmworker communities. Back in 2023, WorkLife Law piloted a comprehensive training program in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Promotores Network, CAUSE, WIC, and the UC Global Health Institute. Now, there is evidence that California communities need more of these trainings to create long lasting change for pregnant farmworkers.

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Wrapping Up a Banner Year at WorkLife Law

December 22, 2023

WorkLife Law’s free legal helplines were ringing off the hook in 2023. We received more calls from caregivers, pregnant workers, and students than ever before in our history – a 400% increase. Thanks to the triumphant passage of the PUMP Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, we have new, dramatically stronger tools at our disposal to protect workers’ health and livelihoods.  We’ve been getting results for workers nationwide and are committed to supporting more people in the upcoming year. 

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WorkLife Law Welcomes New Reproductive Justice Legal Fellow

October 17, 2023

The Center for WorkLife Law is celebrating the appointment of Sequoia Ayala as a Reproductive Justice Legal Fellow. Sequoia will work to assist birthing persons facing discrimination in the workplace, as well as conduct research on employment discrimination based on pregnancy, lactation, childbirth, and parenthood nationwide for the Center.

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Advocating for Strong Implementation to Protect Pregnant Workers

October 10, 2023

Today the Center for WorkLife Law filed comments with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) offering feedback on its proposed regulations implementing the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act. While the law is already robust, our priority is advocating for the strongest interpretation of the law to protect workers, but especially historically excluded communities, who need accommodations to stay healthy during pregnancy, childbirth, or if they have related medical conditions.

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Exciting Advancement of CA Legislation Banning Family Caregiver Discrimination

September 18, 2023

California’s legislature this week passed important legislation prohibiting discrimination against family caregivers at work! The Family Caregiver Anti-Discrimination Act (AB 524, Wicks) was approved by the California Senate and Assembly and is now headed to the Governor’s desk.  WorkLife Law is proud of the central role its advocacy and research have played in bringing California workers so close to winning this critical workplace protection.

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WorkLife Law in Times Square To Celebrate Recent Wins!

August 23, 2023

In honor of National Breastfeeding Month, we are lighting up New York Times Square with a billboard ad for the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act and PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act which secured strong protections for pregnant and lactating workers nationwide. Today’s celebration was filled with joy, pride, and determination to continue the important work of spreading the word to every worker about their new rights– from our detailed know-your-rights guides to a shiny billboard in one of the country’s most visited venues.

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