Protect Nursing Mothers From Discrimination
- by: Susan V and Concerned Parents
- recipient: U.S. Department of Justice
Just before returning from maternity leave, Donnicia Venters called her employer to ask permission to use a back room for breast pumping. Instead of answering, "yes, of course," they told her not to come back.
Venters said she would have accepted a simple, "no." But since she was fired for asking, she sued, alleging her company violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which says it's illegal to discriminate against a woman due to pregnancy, childbirth, or conditions related to both.
But, according to ABC News, a Houston Judge ruled against Venters saying that "'firing someone because of lactation or breast-pumping is not sex discrimination.'"
While over 100 countries give 14 or more weeks of paid leave to new mothers, the US won't even support breastfeeding for those who must return to work. Venters' firing was based on discrimination, and she should be compensated for her loss.
Tell the US Department of Justice to protect nursing mothers against discrimination.
Venters said she would have accepted a simple, "no." But since she was fired for asking, she sued, alleging her company violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which says it's illegal to discriminate against a woman due to pregnancy, childbirth, or conditions related to both.
But, according to ABC News, a Houston Judge ruled against Venters saying that "'firing someone because of lactation or breast-pumping is not sex discrimination.'"
While over 100 countries give 14 or more weeks of paid leave to new mothers, the US won't even support breastfeeding for those who must return to work. Venters' firing was based on discrimination, and she should be compensated for her loss.
Tell the US Department of Justice to protect nursing mothers against discrimination.
We, the undersigned, believe that the Donnicia Venters' civil rights were violated when she was fired by a Texas company for trying to discuss breastfeeding issues.
We know there are other reports indicating that this is not an isolated incident. Judge Lynn Hughes' ruling, siding with the employer over the rights of a nursing mother, is further evidence that there is a serious problem of discrimination in the US over maternity and breastfeeding rights.
With the huge volume of evidence available, it seems unnecessary to enumerate here the enormous health benefits for mother and child associated with breastfeeding - especially when so many other countries besides the US seem to get it, as well getting the importance of supporting new parents with paid work leaves.
Latest reports show that the US is one of only three countries that offer no legal guarantee of paid maternity leave. The two others are Papua, New Guinea and Swaziland. Janet Walsh at Human Rights Watch says "Countries that have these programs show productivity gains, reduced turnover costs, and health care savings."
She adds that the US really cannot afford not guarantee paid family maternity leave.
If, like 100 other countries, the US would allow 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, employers would have fewer breastfeeding situations to accommodate. But until the US catches up with the progress of most other countries in the world and provides adequate paid leave for new parents, the least it can do is not discriminate against mothers who are trying to give their babies a good head-start on lifelong health.
We request that the Department of Justice look into Ms. Venters' case and take serious steps to protect all nursing mothers from discrimination.
Sign PetitionSign PetitionWe know there are other reports indicating that this is not an isolated incident. Judge Lynn Hughes' ruling, siding with the employer over the rights of a nursing mother, is further evidence that there is a serious problem of discrimination in the US over maternity and breastfeeding rights.
With the huge volume of evidence available, it seems unnecessary to enumerate here the enormous health benefits for mother and child associated with breastfeeding - especially when so many other countries besides the US seem to get it, as well getting the importance of supporting new parents with paid work leaves.
Latest reports show that the US is one of only three countries that offer no legal guarantee of paid maternity leave. The two others are Papua, New Guinea and Swaziland. Janet Walsh at Human Rights Watch says "Countries that have these programs show productivity gains, reduced turnover costs, and health care savings."
She adds that the US really cannot afford not guarantee paid family maternity leave.
If, like 100 other countries, the US would allow 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, employers would have fewer breastfeeding situations to accommodate. But until the US catches up with the progress of most other countries in the world and provides adequate paid leave for new parents, the least it can do is not discriminate against mothers who are trying to give their babies a good head-start on lifelong health.
We request that the Department of Justice look into Ms. Venters' case and take serious steps to protect all nursing mothers from discrimination.
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