How to Keep Your Pregnant Patient from Getting Fired

Women sometimes request notes from their clinicians documenting the need for work accommodations during pregnancy — and clinicians who write such notes properly can prevent their patients from losing their employment. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) mandates 12 weeks of unpaid leave with job protection, but only applies to certain employees (e.g., those who worked more than half time for ≥1 year at a company with >50 employees). If FMLA leave is exhausted during pregnancy, employment may be terminated unless the employee returns to work immediately postpartum. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not necessarily protect women who request pregnancy-related work accommodations.

In writing a work note, clinicians should consid…