Pregnancy and Maternity/Parental Leave

Pursuant to federal and Montana law, the University does not discriminate on the basis of pregnancy. Pregnancy discrimination is the denial of privileges or benefits of education or employment, or the denial of the opportunity to participate in university activities, because of pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. Discrimination in this context occurs when there is no legitimate reason for such disparate treatment.

For employees, in compliance with the Montana Human Rights Act, the University will not:

1. terminate a woman's employment because of the woman's pregnancy;
2. refuse to grant to the employee a reasonable leave of absence for the pregnancy;
3. deny to the employee who is disabled as a result of pregnancy any compensation to which the employee is entitled as a result of the accumulation of disability or leave benefits accrued pursuant to plans maintained by the employer, provided that the employer may require disability as a result of pregnancy to be verified by medical certification that the employee is not able to perform employment duties; or
4. require that an employee take a mandatory maternity leave for an unreasonable length of time.

Further, upon the employee’s signifying an intent to return at the end of a pregnancy-related leave of absence, the University will reinstate the employee to the employee’s original job or to an equivalent position with equivalent pay and accumulated seniority, retirement, fringe benefits, and other service credits.