The answer: it depends! We need. to keep an eye on court case results across the USA. In the latest case in North Dakota, a district court judge has granted a Catholic organization a preliminary injunction against the EEOC’s enforcement of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and related harassment guidance, which the Diocese of Bismarck and Catholic Benefits Association argue violate their religious beliefs.
The case is one of several legal challenges to the regulations that the EEOC created under the PWFA. Another judge, in a separate lawsuit brought in Louisiana, blocked enforcement of the abortion accommodation mandates against other Catholic entities, as well as in Louisiana and Mississippi.
The judge in North Dakota ruled (on September 23, 2024) that the EEOC cannot force them to accommodate or promote views on abortion, infertility treatments, or gender transition that conflict with their faith. This case underscores a growing trend of strengthened religious rights in the courts, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Groff v. DeJoy decision, which raised the burden of proof for employers denying religious accommodations.
Nothing in this order shall prevent the EEOC or its agents from accepting of a charge against a CBA member, serving notice of charges to employers protected by this injunction, or issuing a letter to employees saying the employer is covered under this injunction and investigation is precluded.
Check out this news article to gather more information.