Imagine being able to ask for a fan at your desk without feeling dramatic, or shifting your hours on days when hot flashes hit hard. In Rhode Island, you can. As of June 24, the state became the first in the country to require employers to offer workplace accommodations for menopause. If symptoms like brain fog, hot flashes or mood shifts are affecting an employee’s workday, they now have the right to request changes that make it easier to function.
This new law updates Rhode Island’s Fair Employment Practices Act to include menopause-related conditions, giving employees the ability to ask for reasonable support, whether that means a cooler workspace, an adjusted schedule or more flexibility overall.
Why this matters
Menopause symptoms can impact daily functioning, including at work, yet until now, there have not been formal protections addressing it. With this legislation, Rhode Island becomes the first in the country to recognize menopause as a condition that may warrant reasonable workplace accommodations. Under the new law, employers have to post updated notices, alert current employees within 120 days and notify any employee who discloses menopause symptoms within 10 days.
What this means for women in Rhode Island
For women dealing with menopause symptoms at work, they now have the legal right to ask for support. Employers are required to work with you on reasonable adjustments, unless they can show the request would cause a serious hardship. Whether it’s a break during the day, a schedule shift or even something as simple as a more breathable uniform, this law makes it OK to ask and ensures employee’s concerns are addressed.
Rhode Island is leading the charge, but chances are, it won’t be the only one for long. When one state starts recognizing how menopause can affect everything from focus to presence, it will hopefully prompt others to follow.
