Pregnancy & Parenting
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Pregnancy Policies
Pregnancy Policies at ECU
ECU’s Notice of Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions).
In accordance with federal and state laws, ECU’s Lactation Support regulation states that ECU will provide space, privacy, and time for nursing mothers to express breast milk for up to one year after the birth of a child. ECU offers lactation rooms to students and employees at locations across campus. Download list of available lactation rooms (PDF) or find them on the ECU Maps site.
Title IX & Pregnancy
Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes pregnancy, parenting and all related conditions, in education and in programs and activities that receive federal funding.
Title IX specifically prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions.
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights’ pamphlet entitled Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (PDF) includes strategies that can be used to address the educational needs of students who become pregnant or have children. Although this pamphlet focuses on secondary schools, the legal principles apply to all recipients of federal financial assistance, including post-secondary institutions.
Pregnancy & Other Laws
In addition to Title IX, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) amended Title VII in 1978 and prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions constitutes unlawful sex discrimination under Title VII.
Pregnancy Resources
Leave
Pregnant employees may have additional rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Under FMLA a new parent may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of leave that may be used for care of the child. For more information regarding ECU’s leave policies please contact Human Resources Benefits Unit.
Lactation
Employees may request lactation accommodations by completing the form online and for more information, can review the Lactation Accommodations Info Sheet (PDF) or contact HR Benefits at 252-328-9847.