If there is one thing that I am passionate about, its breastfeeding. Being a mommy who breastfed each of my children, some longer than others, I can’t stand to hear of stories where women are criticized for doing something so natural! Something that a women’s body does because that is how we were created to work.
Somewhere along the way, breastfeeding has become gross and disgusting to so many out there. It just baffles my mind that people actually feel that way. Do they think that our breasts just fill with milk for no reason? I know that some women don’t have the opportunity to breastfeed for uncertain circumstances, but the rest of us make milk for a reason. That is how nature intended it to be.
When I read the story of LaNisa Allen, I was infuriated! According to CNN, LaNisa was working at the Totes/Isotoner warehouse in Cincinnati, when she was fired because she needed to pump her breast milk for her infant son! During her interview with Totes/Isotoner she let it be known that she had a 4 month old son and that she would need accommodations. She was told by the hiring manager that she would be able to pump at 11 o’clock in the B-A-T-H-R-O-O-M! Yes, you read that right. The bathroom. There is just something so totally wrong about that! You are going to send a breastfeeding mommy into the dirtiest, germ and bacteria infested place in the warehouse to pump breast milk for her infant son? And she is only allowed to go at 11 o’clock. It’s pretty evident that no one at Totes/Isotoner that had anything to do with this situation has ever breastfed. Breastfeeding babies need to eat about every three hours which means that mommy needs to pump every three hours or so to keep a supply that will be sufficient for baby.
For the first few days, Allen did as she was told and pumped once while at work during her 30 minute lunch break in the bathroom. Because she had to wait so long to pump, Allen’s breast became engorged and would cause her breast to hurt as well as her back. Allen observed other employees taking smoke breaks and bathroom breaks without being confronted so she didn’t see a problem with her taking the same breaks as the others except instead of smoking, she was pumping her breast milk to feed her infant son. After two weeks on this schedule, Allen was confronted by a supervisor while she was pumping in the bathroom. She was fired that same day!
Totes/Isotoner has declined to comment to CNN on this issue but they did make this statement: “This was a case about a temporary warehouse employee repeatedly taking additional paid breaks without informing her supervisors… As always, we will continue to provide nursing mothers with the appropriate time, flexibility, and facilities to meet their individual needs.” I find this statement very hard to believe! If they were providing nursing mothers facilities, then why was Allen told to go to the bathroom to pump? That is the most disgusting place and she was forced to go in there so that her child could eat. Would they want to eat in a bathroom, or eat food that was prepared in a bathroom? I’m going to go out on a limb here and say NO! So why do they think that the poor little baby should have to eat food that came out of a bathroom? This shows me that Totes/Isotoner does NOT provide nursing mothers with time, flexibility or proper facilities. Shame on you!!
Allen sued Totes/Isotoner and her case made it all the way to the Supreme Court of Ohio, but she lost because the courts ruled only on the cause of unauthorized breaks. So, what about the other employees who take breaks to smoke or use the bathroom? Shouldn’t they be fired as well. If she lost her case in the Supreme Court because of unauthorized breaks, wouldn’t that only be fair? Here is a woman who is trying to support her family by working, she is trying to do the best thing for her child by breastfeeding and this company, Totes/Isotoner, fires her for doing so! Do I think she was discriminated against? Yes, I sure do!
Congress is getting involved and Rep. Carolyn Maloney is trying to pass “The Breastfeeding Promotion Act”. If this were to pass, the bill would protect breastfeeding mothers in the workplace under civil rights law. Since I am a stay-at-home mommy I didn’t have to deal with the politics of trying to breastfeed while working, but I did get the looks and stares from many people. I think its time that breastfeeding mommies in the workplace are comfortable with their decision to breastfeed. So many times they are forced to quit breastfeeding because they are made to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, and in this case even fired.
What are your feelings on Allen being fired? Have you experienced discrimination while breastfeeding? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
About Crystal
Luckily in Canada we get one year maternity leave which in a lot of cases, moms are already done with breastfeeding.
I think companies should support Moms who breastfeed. It’s not fair that employees are allowed to take smoke breaks but not feeding breaks. From someone who doesn’t smoke, I never understood why they were allowed more breaks than others.
This story just makes me sad. Being a mom is so tough, and the US does little to make it easier. I hope that our country wakes up to these issues soon.
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..How to assure yourself of having the worst night ever =-.
Ugh. That is just awful! It is absolutely ridiculous that others can take breaks whenever they want for something as disgusting as smoking and she can’t have a few minutes to pump. Stupid company!
oooh that makes me mad! Other employees can go smoke, which is supposedly so bad for your health, but she can’t pump, which is great for baby’s health? What is wrong with this world?
I am glad to be a SAHM so I haven’t had to deal with that. I’ve had a few looks in public, but I’m pretty careful at covering up. (Well, except for a few weeks back when I just whipped a boob out without realizing there was someone in the car next to us, LOL, Yes, I was horrified!)
.-= Storm´s last blog ..Fall Is Definitely Here! =-.
Yup, I felt discriminated AND embarrassed at my work place in a hospital! One reason why I decided to become a SAHM. I don’t regret it one bit! I was able to nurse my son until he was 14 months old!
.-= Mommy Kennedy´s last blog ..This Week’s Steals & Deals =-.
Unbelievable! Too bad she didn’t win the law suit, could have set a precedence for others who are in her situation, as it’s very likely there are more women out there who have been/are being treated in such a horrible manner!
I worked after having my first two children for the medical coverage offered by my employer. I have breastfeed all four of my babies and pumped for my first two while working. My employer was WONDERFUL! Not only did they provide a cozy room with comfy chairs and a little fridge for the pumped milk, but I was supported by management (and co-workers) and given ample time to do what was necessary for me and my baby.
I think there is way more to the story. While I think she should not have had to pump in the bathroom we don’t know what kind of facility she worked in. My office has no private rooms and that bathroom is a single and nicer then my options would be.
Also, I think its about her being sneaky about it. Instead of going to her employer and discussing that things weren’t working (it doesn’t state anywhere in the article she did this) she decided to just do what she wanted. A smoke break takes all of 5 minutes. It would take her 5 minutes to just set up.
I agree that mom’s should have the right to breast feed at work, but they need to be upfront and honest about it.
.-= Jennifer @ J. Leigh Designz´s last blog ..Give It Away Wednesday! 9.30.09 Link Up Your Giveaways HERE! =-.
Yes, there is probably more to the story. And just for the record, that picture of the bathroom isn’t the actual bathroom that she had to use. Its just a generic bathroom pic. I’m sure the restroom she had to use wasn’t as nice . But I guess my point is that she had to use a bathroom period.
When I first heard about this, I was mad as hell and I did a post about it:
http://wmljshewbridge.blogspot.com/2009/09/rediculous-court-ruling-against.html
The employee originally asked for breaks to properly pump and was told NO by the employer. THEN she noticed that the smokers were taking so many more breaks than the other employees, that she decided to lump together her “non-smoking” breaks so she could pump, and then got fired.
The whole situation totally sucks!! Something definitely needs to be done to protect nursing mothers… it is certainly not right!!
.-= Lorie Shewbridge´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Nano Watching Football =-.
BTW, Crystal… tell me that adorable baby with the pinchable cheeks is your son!!!
Oh, I could just eat him up!!!
SO CUTE…..
.-= Lorie Shewbridge´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Nano Watching Football =-.
I agree with breastfeeding 100%! I can’t believe this woman was fired over it. I hope that law is passed. I also agree with the comment before me, that baby is cute!