Occupational and Sociodemographic Factors Influencing Pregnant Women’s Awareness and Knowledge of the New York City Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although the New York City (NYC) Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) was enacted in 2014 to provide greater flexibility for pregnant workers’ accommodations, no studies to date have evaluated effectiveness of PWFA from employees’ perspectives. We examined occupational and sociodemographic factors associated with pregnant workers’ PWFA awareness and knowledge in a female working population with lower socioeconomic status in NYC. METHOD: Analyses included 481 pregnant workers attending prenatal visits at Mount Sinai Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology clinics between January–September 2017. Detailed occupational and sociodemographic data were collected via in-person interviews. Information on PWFA awareness, knowledge, and benefits received was also ascertained. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regressions were used to identify the factors associated with PWFA awareness and benefits received. Zero-inflated Poisson regressions assessed the relationships with knowledge of benefits. Covariates considered include age, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, and manager status. RESULTS: Participants were primarily black and/or Hispanic (84%) with low household income ($30,000, 64%); 86% reported never heard of PWFA, 8% were informed of PWFA by employers, and 6% learned about PWFA from other sources. Higher education level (12 years) was associated with increased PWFA awareness (OR=1.80, 95% CI=1.03–3.17). Those unsure about or with no maternity leave policy at workplace had lower PWFA awareness than others (p=0.05). Regardless of PFWA awareness, unpaid maternity leave policy was associated with higher risk of having no knowledge of eligible pregnancy-related benefits (β=5.56, p0.01 vs. paid policy). Women working ≥5 years at their job were more likely to receive time off after childbirth than those working 5 years (OR=5.82, 95% CI=2.88–11.77). CONCLUSIONS: Education level, workplace maternity leave policy, and job tenure were associated with PWFA awareness and/or benefits received. As more women continue to work during pregnancy, interventions targeted at promoting PWFA awareness and knowledge may be particularly important for protecting pregnant women and their children’s well-being.