In Puerto Rico, two recently enacted sports-related employment laws have made significant alterations to pay and anti-discrimination protections for athletes, as well as extended leave protections. These new laws are of particular importance for athletes who are pregnant and for those representing Puerto Rico in official sports competitions, such as athletes, coaches, and specialized personnel.
According to Littler, one of the new laws provides several pay and anti-discrimination protections specifically for athletes on account of their pregnancies. This law can be considered as a significant progress towards eliminating discrimination against pregnant athletes and giving them the security they need during this pivotal time in their lives.
The second new law extends leave protections for eligible athletes, coaches, and specialized personnel who are absent from their jobs because they are representing Puerto Rico in official sports competitions. This respects the fact that these professionals should not be penalized for representing their country.
Summarized together, these two new laws represent a substantial update to sports employment laws in Puerto Rico. They provide greater protections for athletes, particularly those who are pregnant and those who are representing Puerto Rico on an official level. Law professionals working with sports companies or individuals in Puerto Rico should take note of these changes and modify their practices and contracts accordingly.