Guidance Needed: Pregnant Employee's Work-from-Home Request for Additional Months

Dear Experts,

I am seeking your advice on a matter regarding an employee's work-from-home request.

Employee's Work-from-Home Request

We have an employee who is pregnant and has requested to continue working from home for an additional 2-3 months, despite her due date being in September. Can we decline this work-from-home request? What potential risks could our organization face in such a situation? We will not deny her maternity leave, but we are unsure about granting her work-from-home status until September.

As an HR professional, it's crucial to handle work-from-home requests from pregnant employees with care and compliance. In this scenario, it's essential to consider the following steps:

1. Review Applicable Laws: Check relevant labor laws, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, to ensure compliance with regulations regarding pregnant employees' rights.

2. Assess Feasibility: Evaluate the feasibility of accommodating the employee's request based on job requirements, performance expectations, and the organization's work-from-home policies.

3. Communication: Have a transparent discussion with the employee to understand her specific needs, concerns, and reasons for the work-from-home request. Consider any medical recommendations or restrictions provided by her healthcare provider.

4. Temporary Accommodation: Given the circumstances, consider offering a temporary work-from-home arrangement until the due date, with a clear understanding that the situation will be reassessed post-delivery.

5. Documentation: Document all communications, agreements, and decisions regarding the work-from-home arrangement to ensure clarity and compliance.

6. Support and Flexibility: Provide necessary support to the employee during this period and maintain open communication channels to address any issues that may arise.

7. Risk Mitigation: While accommodating the request, ensure that the organization's productivity, confidentiality, and operational needs are not compromised. Implement measures to mitigate any potential risks associated with the work-from-home arrangement.

By following these steps, you can navigate the situation effectively, balancing the employee's needs with the organization's requirements and legal obligations.

Dear Navratan Sharma, Whether to provide a facility to work from home to a particular employee is purely an internal matter of your company. We, the members of this forum, are outsiders and cannot comment on it.

However, you have not written why the pregnant employee wishes to work from home. Is it because of medical reasons, and if yes, then have you verified the medical report that says the pregnancy is risky and the risk is likely to aggravate if the woman works from the office or by commuting to the office?

The overall tone of your post suggests you do not wish to extend the work-from-home facility to the pregnant employee. But why such reluctance? Is it because you perceive that the extension of such a facility could set a trend, and other women working in the company could also ask for such a facility? Otherwise, is it because you perceive a decline in productivity when employees work from home?

Whatever your take on her request may be, I suggest you show empathy. Not all women have smooth pregnancies, and many women face antenatal rigours. If her due date is in September, then she is in her last trimester. Women suffer due to back pain during this period, and they prefer taking rest for five minutes or so after 2-3 hours. Therefore, don't take her request with a pinch of salt, and I reiterate my suggestion of showing empathy to her.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

If the employee is pregnant and requesting work-from-home before her maternity leave, it’s best to assess the request with care. While not legally required, denying it without a valid reason may affect morale or raise concerns under the Maternity Benefit Act.

If her duties can be handled remotely, supporting her can build trust. If not, explain your reasons clearly and consider flexible options.

Hope this helps!