Pregnancy Accommodation Request

In accordance with the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), Kent State University provides reasonable accommodation to students and qualified employees who require them to effectively perform the essential function of their position, or to participate in or benefit from the employment process.

For employees, this process is implemented by the Office of Gender Equity & Title IX.

For students seeking accommodations based upon pregnancy, please contact the Student Ombuds, the Title IX Coordinator, or visit the Pregnancy and Parenting Campus Resources.

Requesting Accommodations

In order to initiate the accommodation request process, the Office of Gender Equity & Title IX needs information from the employee and healthcare provider. The healthcare provider will also need a copy of the employee's official job description. Instructions for completion are included with each form.

Request process:

  1. The employee completes the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form for Employee.
  2. The employee confirms their Official Job Description with the Office of Gender Equity & Title IX.
  3. The employee provides their healthcare provider with Official Job Description and the Documentation of Pregnancy for Healthcare Provider
  4. All forms are returned to:
    Division of Student Affairs
    Office of Gender Equity & Title IX
    Kent Student Center – Suite 250
    Fax: 330.672.2600
    Email: titleix@kent.edu

Once the Office of Gender Equity & Title IX has received all the required documentation, a staff member will contact you and your direct supervisor to explain next steps and to begin the interactive process.

Supervisor Responsibility:

Receiving a request

If requested, provide the accommodations below:

  • Provide more frequent, longer, or flexible restroom breaks
  • Modify a no food or drink policy (consistent with hygienic standards)
  • Provide seating or allow the employee to sit more frequently if the job requires standing
  • Modify lifting limits of greater than 17 pounds
  • Provide reasonable break time to express breast milk for two years after the child’s birth
  • Access to a lactation station

Questions about how to accommodate these circumstances or additional pregnancy accommodation requests can be directed to the Office of Gender Equity & Title IX, titleix@kent.edu

Medical Information

If you receive documents containing medical information, immediately forward them to the Office of Gender Equity & Title IX, titleix@kent.edu. Do not keep medical records in departmental files.

You should not ask the employee for personal medical information or about the condition itself; your focus should be on the workplace modification being requested. The employee is not required to disclose medical information to their supervisor. However, if an employee does choose to disclose such information, advise them that you will keep the information confidential, and redirect them to the appropriate resource if they have questions about accommodation procedures or policies.

Resources

Policies & Procedures

 

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