Pregnancy/Maternity Leave – Ohio Rev. Code Ann. 4112-5-05(G)

Covered Employers: Employers with 4 or more employees within the state

Employee Eligibility: All female employees

Entitlement: Women affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions shall be treated the same for all employment-related purposes, including receipt of benefits under fringe benefit programs, as other persons not so affected but similar in their ability or inability to work. When, under the employer's leave policy the female employee would qualify for leave, then childbearing must be considered by the employer to be a justification for leave of absence for female employees for a reasonable period of time. If the employer has no leave policy, female employees are entitled to a reasonable amount of leave for pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions.

Employer Notice: Not specified.

Employee Notice: Not specified

Obligation to Provide Certifications or Documents Supporting Need for Leave: Not specified

Paid?: Employment policies involving accrual of seniority and all other benefits and privileges of employment, including company-sponsored sickness and accident insurance plans, shall be applied to disability due to pregnancy and childbirth on the same terms and conditions as they are applied to other temporary leaves of absence of the same classification under such employment policies.

Benefits: Employment policies involving accrual of seniority and all other benefits and privileges of employment, including company-sponsored sickness and accident insurance plans, shall be applied to disability due to pregnancy and childbirth on the same terms and conditions as they are applied to other temporary leaves of absence of the same classification under such employment policies.

Reinstatement: Yes, to an employee's original position or to a position of like status and pay without loss of service credits if she signifies her intent to return within a reasonable time.

Other Important Definitions/Requirements: While “reasonable” is undefined, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission has interpreted this to mean 12 weeks of leave but may be extended to provide for the individual capacities and medical status of the affected employee.

Absence Specifications