Postpartum Depression and Workplace Rights

Various federal, state, and local laws provide certain workers experiencing postpartum depression the right to receive accommodations at work, take leave, and be free from workplace discrimination. These laws set the floor—not the ceiling—on employers’ obligations, so be sure to consult your employer’s policies (and, if you are in a union, the collective bargaining agreement) for any additional protections your employer may provide beyond these legal obligations.

What is postpartum depression?

• Postpartum depression can begin during pregnancy (sometimes called “prenatal” or “antenatal” depression) or after birth.  
• According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, some “9% of pregnant women and 10% of post-partum women met the criteria for major depressive disorders,” though estimates of postpartum depression prevalence range as high as 25%.
• Symptoms can include changes in sleep or appetite; difficulty concentrating; lethargy; feelings of sadness, guilt, or worthlessness; and suicidal ideation.
• Those who experience depression at any stage of pregnancy may be entitled to the legal protections outlined in this fact sheet.

Do I have the right to an accommodation at work for postpartum depression? 

• Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), you may have the right to reasonable accommodation at work, such as a modified work schedule, transfer to a less strenuous position, or work from home, for postpartum depression. To be considered a qualifying “disability” under the ADA, your postpartum depression must “substantially limit” a major life activity, such as sleeping, eating, concentrating, or working. If your postpartum depression meets the ADA definition, then you are entitled to a reasonable accommodation, unless providing an accommodation would create an undue hardship (i.e., be very difficult or expensive) for your employer. Learn more here.
  • Am I covered? You are covered if you work for an employer with 15 or more employees.
• You may also have the right to a reasonable accommodation under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (“PDA”), which prohibits your employer from treating you worse than other employees just because you are pregnant or have a condition related to pregnancy. Postpartum depression is a condition related to pregnancy under the PDA. Therefore, you may have the right to an accommodation for postpartum depression (e.g., flexible start time, transfer to a quieter workspace, or telework) if your employer provides accommodations to other employees similar in their ability or inability to work. Learn more here.
  • Am I covered? You are covered if you work for an employer with 15 or more employees.
• In addition, you may have rights under state and local laws, depending on where you work:
  • Pregnant workers fairness act: If your state or locality has passed a pregnant workers’ fairness law (sometimes called a “PWFA”) giving workers an affirmative right to accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, you likely have the right to a reasonable accommodation at work for postpartum depression, even if your depression is not severe enough to be considered a disability under the ADA or you work for an employer with fewer than 15 employees. Learn more here.
  • Disability law: If your state or locality has a disability accommodation law and your postpartum depression meets the law’s definition of “disability,” you may have the right to accommodation, even if you work for an employer with fewer than 15 employees. Learn more here.

Do I have the right to take leave for postpartum depression? 

• The Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) gives eligible workers the right to take unpaid, job-protected leave to care for their own “serious health condition” (among other purposes). Postpartum depression may be considered a “serious health condition” under the FMLA. Learn more here.
  • Am I covered? You are covered if you work for an employer with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius of one another, you have worked for your employer for at least one year, and you have worked at least 1,250 hours in the prior 12 months.
  • How much unpaid leave can I take? You can take up to 12 weeks total of FMLA leave per year.
• Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), you may also have the right to unpaid leave as a reasonable accommodation, unless such leave would create an undue hardship for your employer. For more information about ADA coverage and eligibility, see “Do I have the right to an accommodation?” above.
• In addition, you may have rights under state or local law, depending on where you work:
  • Medical leave or temporary disability insurance: If your state or locality has a pregnancy leave law, (paid or unpaid) medical leave law, or short-term disability law, you may be entitled to job-protected leave and/or partial wage replacement for time-off due to postpartum depression. Such leave (whether paid or unpaid) is usually a longer-term leave of up to a few months (though it can often be taken in smaller increments). Learn more here.
  • Paid sick leave: If your state or locality has a paid sick leave law, you may be entitled to paid sick time for time-off due to postpartum depression. A paid sick time law typically provides short-term time off, often in increments of hours or days. Learn more here.

Do I have the right not to be discriminated against by my employer because I experience postpartum depression?

• Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (“PDA”), employers cannot treat employees affected by pregnancy or related conditions differently from other employees similar in their ability or inability to work. Postpartum depression is a condition related to pregnancy under the PDA. If an employer treats a worker differently because she has postpartum depression—for example, by refusing to accommodate her despite accommodating other workers, cutting her hours, demoting her, or firing her—such treatment may violate the PDA. Learn more here.
  • Am I covered? You are covered if you work for an employer with 15 or more employees.
• Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), employers cannot treat employees less well (e.g., firing or demoting them) just because they have a disability, or are regarded as having a disability. Learn more here.
  • Am I covered? You are covered if you work for an employer with 15 or more employees.
• Many states and localities also have antidiscrimination laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability, pregnancy, sex, familial status, and/or caregiver status. Discrimination due to postpartum depression may be protected under these laws, even if you work for an employer with fewer than 15 employees. Learn more here.

For more information about the laws where you work, visit A Better Balance’s Workplace Rights Hub here. If you have questions, call A Better Balance’s free, confidential legal hotline at 1-833-NEED-ABB (1-833-633-3222) or contact the helpline here.

The information provided in this fact sheet does not constitute legal advice. It is always advisable to consult an attorney about your individual circumstances.