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Pregnancy and Parenting

Pregnancy Accommodations

Students

Pregnant students have rights under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (known as Title IX) – federal legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (including pregnancy and parental status) in educational programs and activities. Those rights include …

  • Reasonable Adjustments – Provide reasonable adjustments, like a larger desk or elevator access, or allow you to make frequent trips to the restroom when necessary because of your pregnancy.
  • Excused Absences – Any absence related to pregnancy or childbirth must be excused for as long as medical personnel deems necessary.
  • Make-Up Work – Students returning to class must be allowed to return to the same academic status as before the medical leave began and given the opportunity to make up any work missed during the leave. This includes a chance to make up "class participation" points that students missed by virtue of not being in class. Further, any deadlines missed during the leave must be extended to allow the submission of work.

To request pregnancy-related accommodations, contact the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@uic.edu or 312-996-8670.

Employees

Pregnant employees have rights under federal and state laws, including the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Illinois Pregnancy Accommodation Law. Those rights include …

  • Non-Discrimination – Protection against pregnancy-based discrimination and harassment at work.
  • Work Adjustments – Allowance for reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy-related medical conditions.
    • Workplace Accommodations may include:
      • Ability to sit or drink water;
      • Receive closer parking;
      • Receive appropriately sized uniforms and safety apparel;
      • Receive additional break time to use the bathroom, eat and rest;
      • Take leave or time off to recover from childbirth;
      • Be excused from strenuous activities and/or activities that involve exposure to compounds not safe for
        pregnancy

Employees needing pregnancy-related accommodations must complete this online request form.

If you have any questions, contact the ADA Coordinator at oaeada@uic.edu or 312-996-8670.

Parenting Accommodations

After the birth of a child, students and employees are eligible for the following rights:

  • Absence due to Recovery – Absence related to pregnancy or childbirth is excused as long as medical personnel deems it necessary. Commonly, six weeks for a vaginal delivery and eight weeks for a Cesarean (c-section) delivery.
  • Lactation Rooms – Reasonable break time to express breast milk for her infant child for up to one year after the child's birth in a private space other than a bathroom. Locate the lactation rooms at UIC.

Employees: To request parenting-related accommodations, contact the ADA Coordinator at oaeada@uic.edu or 312-996-8670.

Students: for parenting-related accommodations, please get in touch with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@uic.edu or 312-996-8670.

Resources