New report shows widespread discrimination against moms

A recent study by the University of California revealed that breastfeeding discrimination is widespread and if not stopped, could continue to bring devastating consequences for breastfeeding workers.

According to this comprehensive report, breastfeeding workers have been fired, forced to resign, and have been subjected to other economic harms. 

Based on a first-of-its-kind nationwide analysis of breastfeeding legal cases from 2007-2018, interviews with workers who faced discrimination, and new data on the coverage of laws designed to protect breastfeeding workers, the report documents breastfeeding discrimination’s harsh impact on workers and their families as well as the policies that can help.

Sadly, millions of moms are not protected at work. While there have been new laws passed to protect nursing moms, more needs to be done. Due to an unintended legal technicality, over 9 million women of childbearing age are not covered by the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law, the federal law that provides break time and private space for milk expression. Excluded workers range from kindergarten teachers to veterinary staff, and farmworkers.

Even for employees who are covered, technicalities make the law practically unenforceable for the average worker. Noncompliance is widespread. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act now prohibits employers from firing, harassing, or retaliating against workers for breastfeeding or pumping at work. However it cannot be reliably counted on to provide accommodation rights when workers need them most.

Many states have filled in the gaps left by federal law. But still, 27.6 million women workers of childbearing age nationwide are left without the basic protections needed by all breastfeeding workers – break time, space, and the right to receive other reasonable accommodations as needed to stay healthy and continue breastfeeding.

What needs to be done:

The most critical component of lactation laws  is a strong enforcement mechanism that holds employers financially responsible for the harm they cause.

Strong workplace lactation laws increase breastfeeding rates, allow nursing women to earn a living for their families, and send the message that workplaces must take women’s needs, as well as men’s, into account.

Read the full report below:

Exposed: Breastfeeding workers discriminates at work