Rhode Island is the first state to expressly require employers to provide workplace accommodations for job applicants and employees who are experiencing menopause and menopause-related medical conditions. This requirement went into effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature on June 24, 2025.
The new protections for menopause-related conditions were passed as an amendment to the law that requires employers to provide accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions.
Rhode Island employers are required to engage in a timely, good-faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations for employees who are experiencing menopause symptoms or related medical conditions. However, employers do not have to provide the requested accommodation if they can demonstrate that it would pose an undue hardship on their business…