The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act allows healthcare providers – ranging from doctors to doulas, and midwives to mental health counselors – to certify patients for reasonable work accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, pregnancy termination and loss, infertility, perinatal mental health conditions, and other related medical conditions. Accommodations are available for addressing pregnancy symptoms, alleviating physical discomfort, attending healthcare appointments, reducing risk, recovering from childbirth, and maintaining health.
Healthcare providers play a critical role in enabling patients to get accommodations that protect not only their health, but also their economic security. These resources from the UC Law SF Center for WorkLife Law, which have been recommended by ACOG, can help.
The Health Care Provider’s Role Under the New Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: Supporting Patients with Work Accommodations for Pregnancy, Childbirth, Lactation, Infertility, and Related Conditions
This 2024 webinar is presented by WorkLife Law, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).
Use our 1-page fillable form to give your patient’s employer the information it needs to make an accommodation, while still protecting your patient’s privacy.
Check out our guide to learn how to write a work accommodation note for pregnant, postpartum, and infertility patients. We also provide information about your patient’s legal rights, step-by-step guidance, and a model work note.
Check out our comprehensive catalog of workplace accommodations you may recommend for a range of needs related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.
Almost all U.S. workers have a right to private space and as-needed breaks to express milk. Check out our template work note that educates employers on the specific needs of lactating employees.
Workers in California have stronger state protections through laws like the Pregnancy Disability Leave Law (PDL) and State Disability Insurance (SDI). Our guide is tailored for healthcare providers supporting these workers.
Resources on Pregnant and Postpartum Students
Visit our sister site for resources to support patients who are students at vocational programs, community colleges, universities, doctoral programs, and more.
Supporting Workers Seeking Abortion
Abortion seekers face many barriers at work in accessing timely reproductive healthcare. Check out our tips for writing notes for time off and other accommodations for abortion.
