Mom Fired For Breastfeeding Her Preemie on Breaks

on August 28, 2009 at 7:32 AM

Marina Chavez was fired for breastfeeding her premature baby during her breaks from her job at a restaurant. But this a breastfeeding story with a happy ending ...

Jesus Acosta, the owner of Acosta Tacos in Los Angeles, fired Chavez after he found out she breast-fed her baby in her car during her work breaks.

The Department of Fair Employment and Housing Commission ordered Acosta to pay more than $46,000 as compensation for Chavez's lost wages and emotional suffering. The Commission also ordered Acosta to develop a written policy prohibiting sex and pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.

Have you heard any good breastfeeding stories lately?

About the author Suzanne Murray

is the Parenting & Political editor at The Stir/Moms Matter 2012.

Filed Under: breastfeeding

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Comments (14)

science_spot

on Aug 28, 2009 at 9:30 AM

WOW good for the court in judging against him!!

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Peajewel

on Aug 28, 2009 at 10:20 AM

I don't have any good BF stories for you but good for her! I am glad that she was able to win. Too many times Mom's are discriminated against for BFing!

bunNtheoven

on Aug 28, 2009 at 11:50 AM

So wait, was she keeping her baby in the car? just wondering. . . it kinda leaves you hanging ... but thats really good that she was compenstated for it and the courts were in her favor.

jenniamigo

on Aug 28, 2009 at 11:55 AM

http://mamaknowsbreast.com/2009/08/california_company_fined_for_f.php

heres the whole story

toriandgrace

on Aug 28, 2009 at 12:45 PM

He sounds like a jerk, but $46,000? She must have suffered emotionally a whole lot... I think lawsuits are so out of hand.

tgiamt

on Aug 28, 2009 at 2:13 PM

"He sounds like a jerk, but $46,000? She must have suffered emotionally a whole lot... I think lawsuits are so out of hand.

toriandgrace Aug. 28, 2009 at 12:45 PM"

The $46,000 would also be lost wages, not just emotional suffering. Seems pretty fair to me.

fmchavez

on Aug 28, 2009 at 3:11 PM

Wow! Justice!

tabi_cat1023

on Aug 28, 2009 at 8:53 PM

I almost sued my boss for the same thing..went to the media and everything

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1629848/

I'm glad she won and got some money....

rozepyle

on Aug 29, 2009 at 2:07 PM

im glad she won but where was the baby? in the car?

degsyuna

on Aug 29, 2009 at 3:41 PM

"On her third night back, her boyfriend brought their newborn son to work and Chavez breastfed the child in their car during her lunch break."

That's a quote from the linked article. I was guessing that someone brought the baby to her. It makes sense, I think it's awful that she got fired for that!