Workplace discrimination against parents?

Question

I work for the local YMCA. I have found that I don't feel as welcome, or valuable to the company because I am a mother. Although they have an onsite nursery, my employer makes it very clear that I am not very welcome.
Case in point ONE: After the birth of my child, I was not allowed a nursing break. True I only work a 4 hour shift, so legally they were not obligated to give me a break. But co-workers of mine who needed to have a break to feed their children "real food" could do so.
Poing TWO: parents are no longer allowed to feed their kids in the break room. Instead we have been given a card table, set up in the main hallway, where all members enter and exit the building. No easy access to fridge, sink, water, or cleaning supplies.

This seems like discrimination to me. Do I have any rights? Where can I find them? Who can I contact? I am so enfuriated by my employers alienation of those of us with kids. Needless to say, he has none of his own.

Answer 1

You are talking about discrimination in regards to things that happen directly with your child at your work. Employers are under no obligation to accommodate your children even coming to the work place,as most agencies don't allow this at all. The reality is if this becomes to much of a hassle for them, they will take away their perk of children coming to work at all, its simply not required. Basically the only way this would be discrimination and it would be a weak case at that, was if that women with the same needs were being treated differently, ie some women were allowed to beast feed in the lounge while others were not.

Employers simply to not have to accommodate for children in the workplace.

Answer 2

There's your answer!! He has no children of his own. When an employer is childless, their understanding of family seems to be little to none.

We are talking about the YMCA!! Not IBM!! The "Y" is suppose to be for children and families anyway. What is the big deal??!!

Did someone take advantage of the situation and now he is punishing everyone? Talk to your boss and find out what has happened and if you two can come to a happy medium.

If that doesn't work, I don't know who you could go to, unless you talked to his supervisor to see if there can be a compromise.
Make sure the break room is kept clean and don't leave crumbs and spilled liquids on the floor. Maybe someone was not cleaning up behind their children in the breakroom and he decided to end the "perks" for everyone.

There should be something better that can be done besides having his employees sitting by the doorway feeding their children. That just makes that YMCA look bad and unfriendly towards their employees and their young children.

Good Luck!!

Answer 3

Yes, this is definitely workplace discrimination. They cannot "retaliate" against you for having to feed your child, nor can they make your workplace a "hostile environment". Contact your local Labor Board, as well as go up the chain of command in the YMCA. They are a national chain, so they should be well aware of the laws regarding your rights to feed your child. They cannot forbid you to feed your child! They also cannot try to intimidate you by putting you in uncomfortable positions (feeding your child in front of the entry way). Bottom line: go over your boss' head and contact whoever you need to to get your point across. It also may not be a bad idea to talk to a lawyer who deals with Labor Laws. At the very least, perhaps they can give you some crucial phrases to use with your boss to scare him into thinking you know more than you do about the laws. : ) Good luck!

Answer 4

Maybe your employer feels that work is no place for children, particularly infants. He's followed the letter of the law, but, perhaps, that's really all you can expect.