Planning an abortion while also trying to figure out work can be overwhelming. Will you need time off? How do you ask for it? What do you tell your boss?

I Need An A teamed up with the workplace rights experts at WorkLife Law to help you understand your rights at work—even if you live or work in a state where abortion is banned or restricted. And if your situation gets complicated, WorkLife Law offers free, confidential help to understand your specific options!

How much time should I take off for an abortion?

This is a really annoying answer, but it depends. Most people can work after an abortion, but how much time you may want or need to take off depends on how you feel and the kind of work you do.

How you feel can depend on the type of abortion you have and how your body responds. You may need time off for an appointment, to take abortion pills at home, to travel for care, or for follow-up care. You may also want time to rest physically or process how you're feeling emotionally. People can feel so many different ways after an abortion, and it's ok to give yourself time if you want or need it.

The type of job you have may also impact how much time off work you need. Going back to a desk job may feel different from returning to work that involves standing, lifting, driving, or being on your feet for a full shift. You may feel ready to go back to work quickly, or you may want more time to rest and recover.

When planning a medication abortion, the most important time to have off is the 24 hours after taking misoprostol (the second set of pills) as that is when the most intense symptoms and side effects happen. Most people are able to go about their day normally after taking the first pill, mifepristone.

You can read more about working out and other activities after an abortion and when you can have sex again. You can also reach out to the M+A Hotline to talk with a clinician about what to expect physically after an abortion.

What do I tell my boss?

Start by finding out what the rules are for taking sick days or other time off at your job. This information might be in an employee handbook, scheduling or payroll app, workplace website or portal, paperwork you received when you were hired, or posted somewhere at work. You can also ask your manager, supervisor, HR department (if you have one), or whoever handles scheduling or time off.

You can ask, “Can you tell me how sick time works here? Like how many days can I take, will I need a doctor's note, and how do I request it?”

You don't have to tell your boss you're having an abortion if you don’t want to. You can use sick time, PTO, or other leave you have without explaining why, or simply say, “I have a medical appointment” or “I need time off for a health issue.”

If your request is denied or you need more time off, you may need to share a little more to get certain legal protections. For example, telling your employer that your request is related to pregnancy may help you access protections under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. But that doesn't mean you have to share details, like having an abortion.

Can my job ask for a doctor's note?

Sometimes. Whether you need to provide documentation from a healthcare provider depends on the kind of time off you’re using or requesting, your workplace policies, and the laws that apply to you.

If you do provide a doctor’s note, it does not need to say that you had an abortion.
Before your appointment, tell your clinic you will need a note to get time off work. If you want to keep your abortion private, let the person writing your note know so they can avoid including details about the care you received. You can share WorkLife Law’s guide for abortion providers with the clinic so that your provider knows how to write an effective note that protects your privacy. You can also consider having another healthcare provider write the note - like your general care provider or therapist - so your employer won’t make any assumptions.

You may also have privacy protections that limit what medical information your employer is allowed to require.
You don’t have to provide every detail your employer asks for—many times they ask for more than they are allowed to. If you’re concerned about privacy or your employer is asking for more information than you’re comfortable sharing, WorkLife Law’s FAQ can help you understand what information you may actually need to provide and what you can do if your employer asks for more.

What if I can work, but need to do my job differently?

You may be able to ask for temporary changes at your job. This could mean avoiding heavy lifting, sitting instead of standing, taking more bathroom or rest breaks, adjusting your schedule, working remotely, or avoiding driving or using heavy machinery while taking certain medications.

These kinds of changes are sometimes called reasonable accommodations. If you work for an employer with 15 or more employees, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) gives you a right to reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy, including abortion. Your employer usually has to make these changes unless doing so would be very difficult or expensive for them. They can't say no just because it's inconvenient.

If you’re requesting an accommodation under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), WorkLife Law has a medical certification form. It can be filled out by a doctor, nurse, midwife, doula, psychologist, or another healthcare provider, and it doesn’t have to be your abortion provider.

If keeping your pregnancy private is especially important to you, there may be other ways to request accommodations without disclosing that your needs are related to pregnancy. WorkLife Law can help you understand your options and come up with a plan to advocate for yourself — email or call 415-703-8276.

What if my boss says no or I get in trouble at work?

First, we’re sorry if that happens. Trying to get an abortion is already enough to deal with without your job making it harder.

If your employer denies your request for time off or an accommodation, ask why and, if you can, get the decision or explanation in writing. Save emails, texts, or other messages, and keep notes about anything that happens afterward, especially if your boss starts treating you differently, changing your hours, writing you up, or disciplining you.

If your employer is blocking you from taking time off or getting changes at work, or is treating you unfairly, call WorkLife Law’s free and confidential helpline as soon as possible .

Where can I get help if my job is making it hard to get an abortion?

If you're having trouble getting time off, your employer is threatening to fire you, or you're being punished for missing work, contact WorkLife Law as soon as possible. They can help you understand your rights, figure out what to say to your employer, and may be able to step in to help you get what you need.

Fill out their free legal helpline form, email helpline@worklifelaw.org, or call 415-703-8276.

Even with support, we know figuring out how to get an abortion while juggling work, money, and everything else in your life can be hard. But you don't have to figure it all out alone, and there may be other options that work better for your situation.

Depending on what you need, here are some places that can help:

• Finding an abortion that works for you: I Need An A can help you explore your options, including abortion pills by mail, which may give you more flexibility than going to a clinic. You can also find information about funding, and travel.
• Questions or support while having an abortion with pills: Reprocare offers emotional support and information from trained peers.
• Medical questions during or after an abortion or miscarriage: M+A Hotline has medical professionals who can answer your questions.
• Questions about legal risk: Repro Legal Helpline offers free, confidential legal information and advice about abortion, pregnancy loss, and self-managed abortion.