Just when you thought the stigma of breastfeeding was going away, you hear a story like this.
Breastfeeding mom, Ashley Provino from Grand Junction, is now a former employee of Big League Haircuts. However, not by her choice. Provino said that Kyle Reed, the owner of the salon, “adamantly refused” her request to take breaks to breast-pump every four hours. She also claims he told her that the concept was “gross.” Reed then began to cut Provino’s hours so that she couldn’t work for more than four hours at a time, and then eventually fired her.
Provino filed a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, and lawyers are now taking action.
“Discrimination against breastfeeding mothers in the workplace is not only illegal, it is also bad for Colorado families and businesses, because it forces women out of the workplace,” ACLU cooperating attorney Paula Greisen said according to Yahoo.com.
When the salon owner was reached for a statement he said of Provino, “She has dollar signs in her eyes and thinks she’s going to win a million dollars.”
There are Federal and State laws that require employers to accomodate nursing mothers and prohibit discrimination.
The future doesn’t look bright for Reed, as apparently a second employee of his was also fired after she requested breaks to pump.
Let’s just say we hope justice is served for both mothers.
