Pregnancy and new-parent workplace rights

Written by the Progyny Editorial Team — September 2025.

Being pregnant or having a new baby can make work more challenging. And during this time, your health and wellbeing need special attention.

Fortunately, there are laws to protect you and help you get the accommodation you need. (An accommodation is a change at work to help you stay safe and healthy.)

Know your rights

You’re protected by two important laws.

• Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA): This law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation if you’re pregnant or have health issues from pregnancy or childbirth.
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): With this law, employers must give you break time and a private space (not a bathroom) to pump breast milk for 1 year after birth. It’s a great idea to learn more about your pregnancy rights under PWFA and pumping rights under FLSA.

What can I ask for?

Ask for things like:

• Permission to carry or keep water nearby
• Extra restroom breaks
• The chance to sit or stand if needed
• Breaks to eat and drink
• A private space to pump breast milk

You can ask for other help too, if it doesn’t cause “undue hardship” for your employer. Be open about what you need and work together on a plan.

Talk with your employer

Your employer can help you stay safe and supported at work. These tips can help you ask for what you need.

• Speak up about your needs. Tell your employer about your pregnancy and pumping needs. It’s a good idea to make any requests as early as possible to allow time for adjustments to be made.
• Provide documentation (if required). For many reasonable requests, medical documentation is not needed. But under certain circumstances, your employer may ask for it. A medical note from your provider might describe medical reasons for the work accommodation and required changes (such as avoiding heavy lifting, using a chair, or getting rest).
• Make a plan together. Work together with your employer to share ideas and come up with a plan. For example, discuss how often and how long your breaks will be during pregnancy or pumping.
• Keep records. Save emails, documents, and meeting notes related to your requests. This will help protect your rights.

Open communication will help you and your employer throughout your family-building journey. And be sure to reach out to your Progyny Benefits Specialist if you have any questions or need a little extra support.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always consult a lawyer for legal guidance.

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