A former employee of a prominent healthcare organization has filed a lawsuit alleging workplace discrimination and failure to provide necessary accommodations for breastfeeding. On September 26, 2024, Tiera Towns submitted a complaint to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Ascension DePaul Services, Inc., operating as DePaul Community Health Centers, and its Vice President of Human Resources, Pharissa Robinson.
The lawsuit details Towns' employment experience as a Dental Operating Manager with Ascension DePaul Services since September 2019. After returning from maternity leave in September 2022, Towns sought a private space to pump breast milk but was directed to an inadequate lactation nook within the WIC Clinic. This area lacked privacy features such as a door or lock and was shared with other employees, leading to multiple intrusions during her pumping sessions. Despite assurances from Robinson that better accommodations would be provided, Towns claims that no effective measures were taken.
Towns' complaint highlights several instances where she was forced to pump in non-private areas like open cubicles or her car when working at different clinic locations under Ascension DePaul Services. These conditions reportedly caused significant stress and affected her milk supply. The plaintiff argues that the defendants violated federal laws including 29 U.S.C §218d and 42 U.S.C. 2000e by failing to provide appropriate accommodations for breastfeeding mothers and not addressing her needs related to pregnancy and childbirth.
The lawsuit seeks actual and punitive damages, reinstatement of employment, attorney's fees, and any additional relief deemed appropriate by the court. Towns is representing herself in this case without legal counsel.
The case is presided over by Judge Wendy B. Vitter with Magistrate Judge Janis van Meerveld overseeing proceedings under Case ID 2:24-cv-02349-WBV-JVM.