Protections For Nursing Moms

Summary

Ohio law mandates employers to provide reasonable break times and private spaces for nursing moms to express breast milk for up to one year after childbirth. If an employer refuses to accommodate, employees can file a complaint with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. Documentation, such as texts, doctors notes, and witness testimonies, can strengthen your case. Witnesses can include co-workers, supervisors, or even customers who have firsthand knowledge of the discriminatory behavior. The credibility and relevance of witness testimony are crucial, and its advisable to consult a legal professional for guidance.

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What protections are in place for nursing moms at work?
Hello **** ****, the protections can vary based on your location. Could you please provide me with your location so I can give you the most accurate information?
Ohio USA
In Ohio, the law states that:
- Employers must provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk.
- Employers must provide a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion.
- These protections last for 1 year after the child's birth.
What happens if my employer refuses to accommodate my pumping schedule?
If your employer in Ohio refuses to accommodate your pumping schedule, legal recourse is available. You can file a complaint with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, who enforces discrimination laws. Remember, documenting instances can be helpful.
Could i contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission if my employer sends me on maternity early when Ive asked to keep working as I am able to keep working with reasonable accommodations?
Yes, ****. If you feel your rights are being violated, you may file a complaint with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, even if your employer sends you on maternity leave early. Remember, documentation is key.
I have texts from two separate bosses, doctor's notes and documentation of my pregnancy restrictions. How useful would those be?
These documents are very useful. They can serve as evidence of your pregnancy status, your requests for accommodation, and your employer's responses. They may strengthen your complaint if you decide to file one with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
Who could qualify as a witness for my pregnancy discrimination case?
A witness for your pregnancy discrimination case could be anyone who has direct knowledge of the discriminatory behavior. This could include co-workers, supervisors, or even clients. Witnesses should be able to provide firsthand accounts of the incidents.
Would my child's father be a viable witness to my discrimination case if he was also one of my managers at the time it happened?
Your child's father could potentially be a viable witness, however, his role as your manager might present a conflict of interest. It's important to consult with a legal professional to evaluate his position and potential testimony.
What if other employees lie on my boss' behalf because they didn't like me or were afraid to lose their job?
This is a difficult situation but not uncommon. To combat this, it's crucial to have strong evidence to support your claims. Do you have any additional documentation or witnesses who could corroborate your allegations of pregnancy discrimination?
A former boss accommodated me and the next boss didn't. If my boss refused to let me sit during work even though it was outlined in my pregnancy restrictions to do so, would a customer be a viable witness to that?
Yes, a customer could be a viable witness if they have firsthand knowledge of the discriminatory behavior. Their testimony could be especially useful if they could corroborate your claim about the refusal to accommodate your pregnancy restrictions.
So, if a customer saw that I was allowed to sit because my first boss let me and my second boss didn't would that be a viable witness?
Yes, ****. If a customer witnessed the difference in treatment between your first and second boss regarding your pregnancy accommodations, their testimony could potentially be valuable in a discrimination case.
How many witnesses would be helpful? There were at least * customers that I could contact right now on my behalf.
The more credible witnesses, the better. Having at least * customers as witnesses could significantly strengthen your case. Remember, their testimony should be firsthand and relevant to your circumstances.
Would my witnesses be required to come to court or could they do phone or recorded interviews?
The requirements for witness testimony can vary based on the court. In some cases, phone or recorded interviews may be allowed, while in others, a personal appearance may be required. It would be best to consult with a legal professional in Ohio to confirm.
Do i need the person's permission who might be a viable witness to give their phone number to my lawyer?
Yes, it is generally best to get a person's consent before sharing their contact information with others, including your lawyer. This respects their privacy and avoids potential legal issues.
Would another employee who got fired from speedway after getring scammed be a reliable witness or would that be a bad idea?
The reliability of a witness often depends on the relevance and credibility of their testimony. If the former employee can provide firsthand knowledge of discriminatory behavior, they may be a viable witness. However, their dismissal may be examined for bias. Consult a legal professional for advice.
Would a customer who sued speedway and witnessed be credible?
The credibility of a witness is determined by the court. If a customer who sued Speedway can provide relevant, firsthand information about your situation, they could potentially be a useful witness. However, their past lawsuit might be taken into consideration for any potential bias.
Okay so the best outcome would be to ask regular customers ?
Regular customers may provide valuable insights and firsthand accounts, but remember, the credibility and relevance of their testimony are crucial. Do you have regular customers who witnessed the discrimination?
The one witness who first hand witnessed my boss saying these things was my assistant manager who was also my childs father. Does that risk credibility?
While your child's father could provide valid testimony, his role as assistant manager and personal relationship with you might raise questions about objectivity. A legal professional can help evaluate this situation.
Aside from doctor's notes, witnesses, and screenshots of my boss saying they couldnt accomodate me, what other evidence should I present to have a successful case?
Other potential evidence could include:
- Employment policies or handbooks that highlight your rights.
- Emails or other written communication showing discriminatory behavior.
- Any relevant video or audio recordings.
- Records of your job performance prior to and during your pregnancy.
Could a customer be a reliable resource for information about my job performance?
Yes, a customer who interacted with you regularly could provide valuable insights into your job performance. Their testimony, if firsthand and unbiased, could be useful. However, the relevance and admissibility of such testimony would ultimately be determined by the court.
My boss told me to apply for financial relief through the company's leave of absence funds provider. They denied me. What effect would this document have on my case?
The document related to the denial of financial relief could help establish a pattern of discrimination or unfair treatment by your employer. This can strengthen your case if it demonstrates a lack of reasonable accommodation for your pregnancy. Always consult with a legal professional.
My employer lied to the Unemployment people in my state saying my leave was voluntary when it was not. Could this prove they are willing to lie?
Yes, it could potentially show that your employer is willing to provide false information. This can strengthen your case, as it might be seen as an attempt to cover up discrimination. As always, it's important to consult with a legal professional for advice.
My employer told the unemployment office that i was on voluntary or required leave of absence so unemployment denied me. I was only working for them for a couple months before this. Could i still recieve unemployment from them?
Hi ****, unemployment eligibility can vary by state. Could you confirm if you're still located in Ohio?
Yes
In Ohio, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits if you can prove you were let go through no fault of your own. However, there are additional requirements, such as a minimum amount of earnings. It's recommended to consult with a legal professional or the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for more specific advice.
How many unbias witnesses would outweigh one witness with a bias?
There's no set number of unbiased witnesses that could outweigh one biased witness. The court considers the credibility, consistency, and relevance of each witness's testimony. Even one strong, unbiased witness could be more influential than multiple biased ones. Consult a legal professional for guidance.
Thank you for answering my questions thus far! I have a decent idea of what evidence and witnesses i will need moving forward. I contacted a lawyer today based on the information youve sent and Im waiting to hear back! I may have more questions later but still, thank you for your help thia far
You're welcome, ****! I'm glad to hear that the information has been helpful to you. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have more questions in the future. Good luck with your case.
Thank you ❤️
You're welcome, ****! I'm glad to hear that our conversation was helpful. Remember, we're here to assist you anytime you need legal information. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have more questions in the future. Take care and good luck with your case!