Normal pregnancies are not considered a “disability” under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 However, pregnancy may also cause a woman to suffer from an assortment of conditions, such as morning sickness, back pain, carpel tunnel syndrome, severe fatigue, conditions that lead to lifting restrictions, gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia and prenatal depression.
If pregnancy-related conditions meet the ADA’s definition of “disability,” they may need to be accommodated by employers. (42 U.S.C. §12112(b)(5)(A)).The accommodations which arise most often are leave of absence, part-time or modified schedules, working from home, job restructuring, “light duty” and reassignment.
