Kim Daniels in her commentary ("Offer support, not abortion," March 7) incorrectly states that Gov. Andrew Cuomo's women's equality agenda "does little to provide pregnant women with tangible support." To the contrary, the governor's proposal includes vitally important legal protections for pregnant workers and women with children.
Unfortunately, pregnant women are all too often pushed out of their jobs in New York and around the country, just for needing even the most modest accommodations. The governor's agenda would make it unmistakably clear pregnant women cannot be fired if they need a minor adjustment on the job to ensure a healthy pregnancy, unless it posed an undue hardship on the employer.
The accommodations could be as simple as providing a stool, giving a woman temporary relief from heavy lifting, granting an extra bathroom break or ensuring a woman does not have to worry about losing her job while in the delivery room.
The agenda would also make it explicit women cannot be discriminated against at work just because they are pregnant or have children. One of the best ways to support pregnant women is to make sure they keep their jobs so they can both secure the income they need to feed their families and keep any employer-provided health care, which is all the more important during pregnancy.
If we're serious about ensuring pregnant women and mothers get what they need to stay healthy and on the job, passing the governor's women's equality agenda should be a top priority.
Dina Bakst
Co-founder and co-president, A Better Balance
New York City