Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Accommodations
The University is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for pregnant and parenting students and employees. Pregnant students and employees cannot be excluded from educational or employment opportunities, programs or services and must be treated as others who have temporary medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations must be provided to allow a pregnant student to fully participate in educational and employment opportunities. Oftentimes, pregnant and parenting students and employees can arrange necessary flexibility by working directly with their instructors, supervisors or departments. Requests for accommodations may also be made to the OEO/AA.
Lactation Space: Nursing students and employees must be granted reasonable time and space to pump breast milk in a location that is private, clean and reasonably accessible. Bathroom stalls shall not serve as a lactation space. A list of diaper changing and lactation spaces available on campus may be accessed here:
Reasonable Accommodation: The University will provide reasonable accommodations for students and employees to allow them to fully participate in University educational and employment programs and services. A reasonable accommodation is one that does not cause undue hardship on the operation of the department or significant expense for the university.
Examples of Reasonable Accommodations for Students: Students who are pregnant or have a pregnancy-related condition, are entitled to reasonable accommodations to allow the student to continue their educational pursuits as long as such accommodations do not create an undue hardship on the program/department or fundamentally alter the nature of the program: Examples of accommodations are:
- flexibility with attendance including excused absences due to pregnancy or childbirth as long as the doctor says it’s necessary
- adjustments such as elevator access
- allowing frequent trips to the restroom
- parking and transportation issues
- flexibility in the administration of exams
- medical leave of absence, including allowing the student to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before the medical leave began
- providing pregnant students with the same special services as other students with temporary medical conditions including independent study, remote classrooms, or other similar types of academic adjustments
- allowing the student to continue participating in off-campus programs such as internships, career rotations
Examples of Reasonable Accommodations for Employees: Employees who are pregnant or have a pregnancy-related condition, are entitled to reasonable accommodations to allow them to continue employment pursuits, as long as such accommodations do not create an undue hardship on the department. Examples of accommodations are:
- flexibility with attendance including excused absences due to pregnancy or childbirth as long as the doctor says it’s necessary
- adjustments such as elevator access
- allowing frequent trips to the restroom
- parking and transportation issues
- flexibility in work assignments
- allowing a leave of absence
How to Request an Accommodation: If you wish to request accommodations due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, please complete the Pregnancy Accommodation Request form:
Discrimination. University policy prohibits discrimination against sex/gender which includes pregnant and parenting students and employees. State and federal laws, including Title IX of the Education Act, also prohibit discrimination based upon sex, including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions. If you believe you have been subject to discrimination, including having been denied an accommodation for a pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, you may file a complaint with the OEO/AA.
Harassment: University policy prohibits sex-based harassment, including harassment based upon pregnancy. Harassment may include sexual comments or jokes related to pregnancy or gender. If the comments are sufficiently serious that it interferes with the educational or employment environment, the harassment may constitute a violation of university policy. If you experience this sort of treatment, please contact the OEO/AA.
Retaliation: University policy prohibits anyone from retaliating against any person for making a request for an accommodation, complaining or otherwise participating in opposing a discriminatory practice.
Questions about discrimination, information about how to request a reasonable accommodation or how to provide accommodations for pregnant and parenting students and employees should be directed to the OEO/AA.
Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA)
201 S. Park Building Room 135
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
801-581-8365
oeo@utah.edu
Additional Resources:
The Office of Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Title IX provides many resources for pregnant and parenting students including information about childcare. https://oeo.utah.edu/
Family and Medical Leave: Employees may also be entitled to Family and Medical Leave under certain circumstances. https://www.hr.utah.edu/absenceMgt/fmla.php
University Policies:
University Nondiscrimination Policy 1-012