Forbes recently featured attorney Jack Tuckner, founding partner of Tuckner, Sipser, Weinstock & Sipser, LLP, in an in-depth article examining the growing movement to protect women from menopause-related discrimination at work. Written by Professor Michelle Travis, the piece spotlights Rhode Island’s groundbreaking new law—the first in the nation to require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for menopause symptoms—and highlights how similar protections may soon be coming to New York.
You can read the full article here:
Rhode Island Law Fueling Trend To Protect Menopause In The Workplace – Forbes
As the Forbes piece explains, Rhode Island has become the first state in the nation to explicitly recognize menopause as a workplace rights issue. The new law reflects a growing national movement to address how menopause affects women’s careers, financial security, and long-term advancement.
Jack Tuckner, who has spent decades representing women facing workplace discrimination, told Forbes that while U.S. law does not yet list menopause as a protected condition, its symptoms often fall squarely within existing legal protections against sex, age, and disability discrimination. He also emphasized that employees may qualify for job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act for severe menopause-related health conditions and highlighted the relevance of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in ensuring workplace accommodations for reproductive system changes, including menopause and perimenopause.
The Growing Legal Landscape Around Menopause at Work
Rhode Island’s legislation marks the first state-level acknowledgment that menopause deserves specific protection in the workplace. It requires employers to make reasonable adjustments for symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, or cognitive changes, bringing the U.S. closer to workplace equality standards already seen in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.
Following Rhode Island’s lead, similar menopause protection bills are now pending in multiple states, including New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. These legislative efforts reflect a larger shift in workplace policy—one recognizing that supporting midlife women is both a matter of fairness and sound business practice.
Jack Tuckner: National Advocate for Menopause Equity
Jack Tuckner and the legal team at Tuckner Sipser Weinstock & Sipser have long been at the forefront of protecting women’s rights in the workplace. Their work spans issues of pregnancy discrimination, family and medical leave, sexual harassment, and now, menopause fairness.
Tuckner is part of a growing national coalition of advocates and thought leaders pushing for comprehensive menopause protections under both state and federal law. His ongoing advocacy includes helping women secure accommodations for menopause-related conditions and challenging employers who punish or marginalize employees during this natural stage of life.
“Menopause isn’t just a personal matter—it’s a workplace equity issue,” Tuckner noted in the Forbes feature. “Recognizing and accommodating menopause is critical to ensuring that women can continue contributing their experience, knowledge, and leadership without bias or penalty.”
Protecting Women in New York and Beyond
While Rhode Island has taken the first step, many existing U.S. laws already protect workers experiencing menopause-related discrimination or medical challenges. New York’s Human Rights Law, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act all provide avenues for redress when employers fail to accommodate legitimate health needs or engage in bias rooted in gender or age stereotypes.
At Tuckner Sipser Weinstock & Sipser, the firm represents women across all professions—including executives, lawyers, educators, and corporate leaders—who face discrimination or retaliation due to menopause or related conditions.
Learn more about your rights on our Menopause Resources page, or contact our office at (212) 766-9100 to speak with an employment attorney about your situation.
Moving Toward Menopause Equity
The Rhode Island law represents more than a legislative milestone—it’s a cultural shift. By naming menopause as a protected condition, lawmakers are sending a clear message that the professional contributions of midlife women deserve respect, accommodation, and equal opportunity.
Tuckner Sipser Weinstock & Sipser is proud to be part of this growing conversation and to stand with women demanding fair treatment during every stage of life.
For more updates on evolving workplace protections for women, visit womensrightsny.com/news-insights.
With more than 35 years as a New York menopause workplace rights lawyer, attorney Jack Tuckner has represented countless women who have been the victims of workplace menopause discrimination. He is a sought-after media interviewee on menopause discrimination and recognized in the legal profession for his leadership in this area, and he has received dozens of 5 star client reviews. Jack is an active member of the New York bar.