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July 23, 2025
Rhode Island recently amended its General Laws relating to Fair Employment Practices to extend anti-discrimination and reasonable accommodation obligations to menopause and menopause-related conditions. The amendment was enacted and became effective on June 24, 2025. See 2025 R.I. SB 361.
It is now an unlawful employment practice for an employer to refuse to reasonably accommodate menopause or a related medical condition (unless an undue hardship exists); to require an employee to take leave for such condition if another reasonable accommodation is available; to deny employment opportunities to an employee based on such condition; or to fail to provide notice of employees’ rights to be free from discrimination based on such condition.
The definition of “related conditions” has been expanded to include “the need to manage the effects of vasomotor symptoms.” Though “vasomotor symptoms” are not defined in the statute, they typically include, but are not limited to, hot flashes, night sweats, and heart palpitations. They are physical changes related to blood vessel constriction and dilation, primarily caused by hormonal fluctuations.
The statute does not define reasonable accommodations that are specific to menopause or related conditions. However, the following reasonable accommodations are included in the statute and may apply to such conditions: more frequent or longer breaks, acquisition or modification of equipment, seating, temporary transfer to a less strenuous or hazardous position, job restructuring, light duty, break time, assistance with manual labor, or modified work schedules.
Rhode Island Employers: Update your existing employment policies, train managers and human resources professionals on the new law, and provide notice to employees of their rights under the new law.
The author of this article, Patricia Tsipras, is a member of the Bar of Pennsylvania. This article is designed to provide one perspective regarding recent legal developments, and is not intended to serve as legal advice in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, or any other jurisdiction, nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship with any reader of the article where one does not exist. Always consult an attorney with specific legal issues.
