“Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Related Conditions” includes:

1. 1. Pregnancy
   2. Childbirth
   3. Termination of pregnancy (in any manner including miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion)
   4. Lactation
   5. Complications of, and recovery from, any of the above
   6. Medical conditions related to any of the above*

*Depending on individual circumstances, examples of related medical conditions may include, but are not limited to: pregnancy-related fatigue, dehydration (or the need for increased water intake), nausea (or morning sickness), increased body temperature, anemia, bladder dysfunction, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, hyperemesis gravidarum (i.e., severe nausea and vomiting), pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure), infertility, ectopic pregnancy, prenatal or postpartum depression, or lactation conditions such as swelling or leaking of breast tissue or mastitis.

You do not need to include any medical documentation at the time you submit your accommodation request and start the process.

In fact, you won’t need to provide any medical documentation at all for most pregnancy-related accommodations: those that fall within the most common categories above or where the rationale for the request is obvious.

After we review your request, if there is a particular aspect of your case that would make it relevant for us to ask for medical documentation, we will discuss this with you and provide the relevant forms your medical provider can complete.

There are several categories of leave that an employee may be entitled to, including parental leave and FMLA. 

Please direct any questions to your Human Resources contact. If you need assistance identifying or reaching the appropriate Human Resources office, please ask your supervisor or call our office.

If you will be going on leave, and you also would like to request workplace accommodations (for either before you go on leave or after your return to work), our staff will coordinate with Human Resources and your supervisor as needed.

Employees are entitled to reasonable break time and a suitable Lactation Space for lactation/pumping.

If a supervisor is able to provide the employee with a suitable space and break time, they may do so. The accommodation process is always available if there are unmet needs, if the employing unit is unable to grant the request, or if the employee wishes to use our accommodation process for any other reason.

A Lactation Space must be:

• a space other than a bathroom
• clean (and regularly cleaned)
• shielded from view and free from intrusion from others
• furnished with appropriate seating, a surface sufficient to place a breast pump, and electrical outlet(s).
• in reasonable proximity to a sink and running water.
• For employees, the lactation space must also be in reasonable proximity to the employee’s usual work area and have a refrigerator for storing milk.

The Campus Lactation Space Guide lists designated lactation spaces in many buildings on campus. An employee may elect to use one of these spaces if it is available and meets their needs. Otherwise, the employing unit may provide another suitable space as part of an accommodation.

University policy prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on pregnancy and related conditions. For more information, see the Sex-Based Misconduct Policy.

The Title IX Office receives reports of pregnancy-related discrimination. To report an incident, visit Report an Incident on the We Care site, call (217) 333-3333 or email titleixcoordinator@illinois.edu. You may also contact the EEO Division of the Office for Access and Equity.

The information you submit to our office is stored in a secure database that is only accessed by our Accessibility and Accommodations Division staff. 

When we reach out to your supervisor and Human Resources representative, we only share the information that is relevant for them to have a practical understanding of your needs, limitations, and the accommodations you are seeking, in order to be able to evaluate and implement your accommodations. We do not disclose medical records or details about your pregnancy or any related medical issues. 

Please let our staff know if you have any questions or concerns regarding confidentiality and disclosure of information about your accommodation request.

• Pregnancy and Related Conditions (CAM HR-49)
• Nursing Mothers in the Workplace (System Human Resource Services)
• Pregnancy Leave (System Human Resource Services)
• Parental Leave (System Human Resource Services)