Accommodations

Northwestern is dedicated to fostering a work environment that prioritizes the well-being and success of our employees. We recognize that every individual's journey through pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood is unique, and we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations that allow our team members to thrive during these significant life moments.

As such, faculty and staff (including part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers as well as job applicants) who want to request a reasonable accommodation related to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition, should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance (OCR) at OCR@nortwestern.edu or 847-467-6165. They will also need to complete the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

Pregnant and parenting graduate students can find additional information and resources on TGS's Family Resources page.

Reasonable accommodations may include:
- Flexible scheduling for prenatal or postnatal appointments or morning sickness
- Remote work
- Additional, longer, or more flexible breaks to drink water, eat, rest, or use the bathroom
- Temporary transfer to a less physically demanding or safer position
- Limiting exposure to hazardous chemicals
- Leave or time off to recover from childbirth, even if the employee does not qualify for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Leave or time off for bedrest, recovery from miscarriage, postpartum depression, mastitis, and other pregnancy-related health issues
- Providing equipment such as a stool to sit on or an ergonomic keyboard
An employer cannot force an employee to accept an accommodation they did not request or force a worker to take leave, whether paid or unpaid.