We’ve been fighting for change in the City of Florence, Kentucky for more than two years and yesterday a groundbreaking agreement was announced between the United States Department of Justice and the City. Our clients — two police officers, Officer Lyndi Trischler and Officer Samantha Riley — faced pregnancy discrimination due to an illegal policy.
This agreement means that our clients have won and the City of Florence will overhaul its policy to ensure that future pregnant workers have access to accommodations they need to stay healthy and on the job.
Officer Trischler with her daughter
Officer Riley (left) with her wife and son
“This has been a long and difficult process for me, but I am gratified to see that the City will have to change its ways so that what happened to me never happens to anyone else,” Officer Trischler said. “No officer — in Florence or anywhere in the country — should have to endure the stress and pain I endured simply for getting pregnant.”
“It feels great to be compensated for our losses,” Officer Riley said. “And this came right in the nick of time — we’re currently expecting our second child.”
This victory extends beyond Kentucky — municipalities and employers across the country will now know that the Department of Justice takes pregnancy discrimination seriously and they cannot get away with treating pregnant workers like second-class citizens. This is the first pregnancy discrimination Department of Justice (DOJ) case since the Supreme Court’s ruling in Young v. UPS. It’s also the first DOJ lawsuit challenging “no restrictions” policies. It is truly a landmark victory for pregnant women nationwide. Read our statement here.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to fight to ensure no pregnant worker in America has to choose between her job and a health pregnancy.
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