Discrimination at work? Please advise!

[rizzosanders]

Okay, so I have a friend who works at Barnes and Noble here in Illinois... she has chosen the wonderful gift of breastfeeding her child (who is now 3 months old). She recently went back to work and was provided a place to pump (the cash room... which from a legal standpoint in corporate world probably wasn't the best option), but anyway...

Being that it is retail, she never has a set schedule (even though she is FULL time and available quite often. So there are some nights where she closes (gets home 11:30/midnight on weekends) and sometimes when she opens (7am start time).

Oh yeah, she is a single mother, going through a soon to be nasty divorce.

So, recently, she has learned that they will NOT be flexible with her schedule. She has requested NOT to close and have a semi-consistent schedule for both the benefit of her son getting on a schedule, sleeping better (he never sleeps through the night because of this craziness), her MILK supply and her own health caring for a newborn. Not only this, but yesterday she was given crap about pumping in the cash office and was told that she will probably have to go and pump in the bathroom. Last I checked, that was illegal... or at least not right in the world of BF law...

Do you have any advice? I want to help her as best I can, as she is really needing support with all she is going through...

Any thoughts for the Awful manager that works there? I have referred her to firstright.org, but what else can she do? Thank you in advance for your advice!

[WindyCityMom]

The bathroom thing IS illegal in IL.

I'm in Chicago as well, and only work in retail (when I do work). I'll be watching this thread because I could easily see most of what is happening to your dear friend happen to me.

I really hope she can figure something out- kwim? If breastfeeding moms in IL are excused from jury duty, then why can't there be some sort of jurisdiction stating that there should be a set schedule for them to work (within reason). I don't know.. but I think it is very unfair.

What exactly has her manager said and done? Maybe she could get a doctor's note stating that her child is suffering because their schedule is not set, and provide literature that states the positive aspects of a set schedule and the negative aspects of a crazy schedule, KWIM? Hmm.

[kriket]

My heart goes out to your friend. DH and I both work FT and some days I feel like a single parent. I can only begin to imagine what she is going through actually being a single parent!

My suggestion to her is 1. To put her foot down about pumping in the bathroom. Are there even outlets in an B&N bathroom? If I were her I would commandeer the whole break room if I had to. The other employees can read their news paper somewhere else for 15 mins.
2. as much of a PITA as it is, learning to pump one side while you nurse the other while you are home helps.

I don't understand why they can't even give her a semi set schedule. Maybe different times on different days but the same every week? They sound like they are just being stubborn. Has she considered talking to someone higher up? Maybe a female someone who may understand her needs better?

If she wants this, then she can make it happen. We are all dealt our issues and road blocks, some like your friend seem to get more then their share it seems. Sometimes you just have to make a lot of lemonaid. Best of luck to her and the baby. I know she can do it, she has a good friend in her court!

[proudmomof4]

Just sending a to your friend. I agree that is very important for your friend to stand up for her rights - she's not asking for "favors" here.
I'm not a U. S. citizen (used to be a resident for 5 years) so I'm not very firm with the laws but I feel that firstright and a print-out of her rights should be a good starting point.

[smpayne]

The scheduling sounds typical for ANY retail job. Unitl she can find another non-retail job, she is probably stuck with crapy hours. Part of the reason for these type of hours, is that they must work around all everyones schedules. If she can come to an agreement with a few of her other co-workers about thier shifts and make a reasonable presentation to her boss, it might help (don't just leave it to him to find a solution - have a few alternatives ready).

I've seen some of the offices in some of these retail stores and frankly, I'll stick to hidding out in my car (I've seen cleaner bathrooms). I would always find a secluded place in the parking garage, rig up privacy covers, grab a snack and pump away.