Indiana University provides employees with “reasonable accommodations.” What is reasonable will differ on how the requested accommodations impact the employee’s departmental operations and functions, along with other considerations. Accommodations under the PWFA are granted on a case-by-case basis and decided through an interactive process between the employee and Indiana University.
Some commonly granted accommodations under the PWFA include:
- Time off or schedule changes to attend health care appointments
- A chair or stool to sit on while working
- Extra bathroom breaks
- The ability to have food and drinks while working
Employees seeking accommodations under the PWFA should complete the Confidential Accommodation Request Form - Pregnancy. After submitting the request form, an Accommodation Specialist will connect with the employee to discuss the request and next steps. In the conversation with the Accommodation Specialist, the employee may be asked to provide additional information, such as descriptions of the childbirth, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy related medical conditions limitations they are experiencing.
Supervisors should not ask employees for medical documentation of their pregnancy related condition. If documentation is needed, the Accommodation Specialist will manage the documentation as part of the interactive process.
Employees seeking accommodations under the PWFA should complete the Confidential Accommodation Request Form - Pregnancy. Employees can also contact their campus Accommodation Specialist.
Employees who feel as if they are being discriminated against or mistreated due to pregnancy or related conditions can report their concerns to the Office of Institutional Equity.
Under Indiana University’s HR-11-50 policy (Lactating and Breast/Chest Feeding Employees), the time needed to express milk is paid time if it occurs during work hours. Supervisors must allow reasonable break time and flexibility to accommodate the employee’s needs.
To support the health and well-being of both new parents and their baby, Indiana University is committed to supporting lactating employees as they return to work. Healthy IU offers resources and guidance for employees and supervisors regarding lactation medical benefits offered by IU, locations of wellness rooms for lactating employees, and more.
View the list of locations of wellness rooms for lactating parents