Rhode Island is First State to Mandate Workplace Accommodations for Menopause
“Employers are now required to engage in a timely, good-faith, and interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations.”
Liberal states sure love to come up with new rules for employers.
Littler reports:
Rhode Island Becomes First State to Mandate Workplace Accommodations for Menopause
On June 24, 2025, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed into law House Bill No. 6161, making Rhode Island the first state in the nation to expressly require employers to provide workplace accommodations for applicants and employees experiencing menopause and related medical conditions unless the employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would pose an undue hardship on the employer’s business operations.
This groundbreaking legislation amends the section of the Rhode Island Fair Employment Practices Act requiring employers to provide a reasonable accommodation for an applicant’s or employee’s condition related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions to require accommodation of menopause and related medical conditions, effective as of June 24, 2025. The law amends the definition of “related conditions” to include “the need to manage the effects of vasomotor symptoms”—commonly referred to as “hot flashes” and “night sweats.” Notably, however, the drafters of the law did not amend the definition of “reasonably accommodate,” which remains focused on accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. At this time, it is unclear whether the definition of “reasonably accommodate” will be amended to list potential accommodations for menopause and related conditions.
Effective June 24, 2025, employers are now required to engage in a timely, good-faith, and interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations for individuals whose menopause symptoms impact their ability to perform essential job functions. Similar to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, reasonable accommodations are required under the Rhode Island Fair Employment Practices Act even if the applicant or employee is not disabled by the pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition.
In addition to the accommodation requirements, the revised Section 28-5-7.4 of the Rhode Island General Laws includes new notice and posting requirements. Employers must post a written notice in the workplace advising employees of their right to be free from discrimination in relation to menopause and related medical conditions and their right to request reasonable accommodations. Additionally, employers must provide written notice of employee rights to new employees at the commencement of employment, existing employees by October 22, 2025 (120 days after the law’s effective date), and any employee who notifies the employer that they are experiencing menopause-related conditions within 10 days of such notification.
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Comments
well then its a good thing there are no female pilots
especially in a military situation especially in a commercial airline cockpit
or flying freight
or teaching young children
or
firefighters
or leo
cause if there were
that could be veryyy veryyyyy dangerous
and on that same note the faa findings of the dc helo commerical air diaster from a few months back have been released
The presentation also shows the helicopter was twice warned by an air traffic controller about the approaching passenger jet, once about two minutes before the collision and again about 90 seconds later. Both times, the helicopter said it could see the other plane and requested a “visual separation,” in which they would be allowed to navigate around the jet. A controller approved that.
Five seconds after the second warning to watch out for the incoming plane, Eaves, the helicopter instructor, told Lobach, “Alright, kinda come left for me ma’am, I think that’s why he’s asking,” to which she replied, “Sure,” the presentation shows.
Eaves then said, “We’re kinda out towards the middle,” and Lobach said, “Okay fine.”
The entire exchange lasts about four seconds. The helicopter was 270 feet in the air. Not far away, the American Airlines jet was descending toward the runway and was only 320 feet in the air.
https://people.com/final-seconds-before-american-airlines-dc-crash-revealed-by-ntsb-11781679#comments
“Notably, however, the drafters of the law did not amend the definition of “reasonably accommodate,”
It means you have to twist the thermostat to baking or freezing at their whim, regardless of the comfort of all the other employees. I have experience in this area.
As a Rhode Island native, I approve. Better yet, I wish government employees on their periods would have been given time off 50 years ago.
One problem I faced doing computer tech support was women plugging in space heaters they brought from home. Not just using them but plugging them into the surge protected outlet strip. The current draw alone was causing computer crashes and other issues. One had not just s space heater, but one of those high-wattage kettles so she could have boiling water to make her tea without having to get her 225 lb self into the break room. She made threats against we IT fellows if we brought up the problems.
The problem was finally solved when her (female) supervisor confiscated the heater and kettle. Told this troublemaker she could retrieve these items when she quit. If she brought in replacements she’d be fired.
She did, and she was.
“Why is it tripping the breaker? There are still open outlets. The circuit isn’t full!”
What is wrong with Rhode Island? Did everyone with a functioning brain move out of the state already? To be honest, RI is almost as insignificant as Canada. I can go years without thinking about either.
Both RI and southern Maine should merge into Massachusetts. Call the new conglomeration North Boston. That way they can leave the rest of us alone!