I’m a nursing Mum, USA, and my work (transportation) is not protected by the pump act. https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/the-pump-act-explained.html I was told via email from HR that they “do not make accommodations for crewmembers.” Legally they don’t have to, so I applied for disability. It was denied with some accommodations for my return to work that needed clarification, but I didn’t expect much more. I then started my return to work process, including a medical return to work form for my provider to complete. The provider used the exact same, cut and paste, language as the original request for disability form. My return to work has been denied because they cannot accommodate me. Local unions advice: break the rules. So, yes, lawyer up, of course. However, that will take months or years (like the Frontier case https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/settlement-reached-frontier-airlines-pregnancy-and-lactation-discrimination-lawsuit ) and I am running low on my savings.
So, despite ten years with my company, I will now lose my $50~/hr pay, schedule seniority, union Healthcare, tribal knowledge, skills etc and go to another company. All because I wanted twenty minutes every four hours to pump for my baby - some coworkers take longer shits.
Regular pumping avoids mastitis and maintains flow. Breastfed babies have less health problems in early years. Nursing mothers have lower instances of certain cancers. Formula is a great invention, but costs money, and just isn’t a good fit for my family. https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/features/breastfeeding-benefits/index.html
I don’t know if it would be helpful (it may be harmful, who knows…), but I can’t imagine a local news station not being interested in this story. I can hear it now:
Coming up, a local working mom sought permission from her job to pump milk for her newborn during her shift, a practice approved for thousands of working moms nationwide. But her employer said no, and now she’s being forced to find employment elsewhere. 5 on your side investigates next.
As a former local news writer - let me punch up that tease for you.
“A mother says she was trying to do what’s best for her baby - but her boss said not on my watch.” soundbite from mom tearing up about the loss of her job* “Tonight, why caring for your children may cost you your livelihood.”
OP, feel free to add this to your email when you contact the news station - any assignment desk manager worth their salt will be calling you within minutes.
This is great, thank you
Before you do this, you have to decide your strategy. A lawyer - any lawyer - will tell you not to talk to the press while the matter is going through the courts.
You were right, lawyer said no press.
And it would make my company look bad, as they should, but its not just them. The law should mandate procedures to protect parents. Even for transportation workers.
That… that was <chef’s kiss>.
Thanks! Two decades in the business will do that to you.
This why I hate America. This shouldn’t Even be a question that had to be asked. Hell some of those 3rd world countries Americans talk about give mothers 6 months or more of maturity leave.
She shouldn’t be force to choose between pumping breast milk which is the best milk for a baby and her job. Only in the shit hole of the United States would that be an issue.
Also I like the idea of the media but in this day and age will be hard to find a news station ( that own by the rich) that will give a shit.
I hope OP gets through this and forget that job. Her child will know mom did best for her family and not cave to the company that doesn’t care about her.
I agree. I’m annoyed because I have an over inflated sense of fairness. I’ve spoken to others at work and they just break the rules and to hell with it. That’s still an option for me, so don’t feel too bad for me. However I’m absolutely looking for other jobs instead, and to try to hold them accountable.
Just…remember that corporations, especially ones that talk about engagement and call you family, do not care about you. I hate the reality check when it’s unavoidable like this.
Glad you are and I wish you the best.
Very tempting. Today I’m a little ball of angry, but I’ll will definitely consider this.
Oh, this might work, but then again it might not. Many news stations believe (accurately or not) that local viewers don’t care much about workers rights. Or they station boss is friends with the company president, for example.
I am sorry that this has happened @[email protected] . Are you able to go to your state’s Department of Labor? HR may be full of shit and it certainly wouldn’t be the first or last time.
Great suggestion, I’ll look into this too. Thank you
Do let us know how it goes. Just remember that the wheels turn slowly from the time you make the formal complaint to the time it becomes adjudicated. It’s my personal belief that you have a strong case but I’m not an attorney.
