Workplace relief is coming for employees with symptoms of menstruation, perimenopause and menopause in Philly

Philadelphia will prohibit discrimination based on menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause beginning January 1, 2027, and require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for related symptoms. The City Council amended the Philadelphia Code in December 2025 to expand existing protections that previously covered only pregnancy and childbirth. Accommodations may include flexible breaks, uniform changes, or temperature control, but only when symptoms substantially interfere with an employee's ability to perform job functions and do not cause undue hardship to employers. Philadelphia follows Rhode Island, which became the first state to enact menopause workplace protections in July 2025. The ordinance applies to employers of any size and covers symptoms including hot flashes, fatigue, mood changes, and cognitive effects.