Support

DC Police Officer Takes Leave Because of Breastfeeding Policy


Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

A reader forwards the following email:

[BirthOptionsAlliance] DC Police Officer forced to take leave w/o pay because she wants to BREASTFEED!

A mother in DC needs our help! She is DC Police Officer and has been forced to take leave w/o pay which obviously is putting a financial strain on her family, because she wanted to continue to breastfeed her baby after returning to work. The job initially providing support, quickly changed their tone, when the mother complained about the sanitary conditions of the nursing rooms which were reported to not be up to code. At this point she was told that she would essentially have to choose between her job or continuing to breastfeed her baby.

Fox5 explains:

The new moms say they’re being required to wear bullet proof vests when on duty, which can be quite painful. One of them says it’s so bad she’s being forced to take leave without pay.

Chief Cathy Lanier defended her policy Monday saying there is not much more that she can do.
The Chief said when you are talking about mothers nursing their babies for a year or more its tough to be more accommodating than she’s already been.

Do you think DC is being unfair in its policy? What have police officers who breastfeed done in the past? What do you think is a reasonable time before breastfeeding officers are required to return to their normal duties?

Recent Stories

From a press release: “The Sakura Taiko Fest has grown from a small concert first held in a dance studio to a full day of free, family-friendly taiko performances among…

Sweet City Ride

Thanks to Rafael for sending this sweet Rolls. Sweet City Ride is made possible by readers like you!

Photo by Lorie Shaull Ed. Note: If this was you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. “Dear PoPville, I was at The Dubliner around…

“Davis in Van Ness UDC” If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the…

Calling all bookworms, thrill-seekers, supporters of the arts, and ping-pongers at all skill levels! Sign up for Paddlestar Galactica, the ping-pong tournament supporting 826DC’s youth writing programs.

826DC is a local nonprofit that offers free writing programs, homework help, and publishing opportunities for DC students ages 6-18, in our Columbia Heights writing center and in learning spaces across the city.

Paddlestar Galactica helps keep writing education 100% free and accessible for all of our students! It’s also extremely fun.

This year’s games will be Saturday, April 27th, 1 PM to 4 PM at SPIN DC. It’ll be a chaotic afternoon of ping-pong, costumes, terrible Battlestar Galactica puns, and good cheer. We’d love to have you join us!

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

Well-Paid Maids, the only certified living-wage cleaning service in the DMV, has added a new service to its online booking menu: office and building cleanings.

This includes offices, building lobbies, shared amenity spaces and more throughout D.C., Arlington, Alexandria and more.

Unlike so many other cleaning services, you can feel good booking Well-Paid Maids to clean your office or building. Cleaners get paid a starting wage of $24 an hour. Plus, all employees are offered health, dental, vision and life insurance; 24 paid days off per year; 100% employer-paid commuting costs; and more.

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

Vakili Band at Pie Shop!

Three band rock n rolll lineup at DC’s Pie Shop! Vakili Band with “if you know, you know” DC rockers, Lot 18, and the many minds and songs of artist Kind of Christine.

“If you love Vakili Band like we

×

Subscribe to our mailing list