Different companies have different policies for children in the workplace. When parents have emergencies or do not have childcare for the day, some employers may allow them to bring their children to work. Other employers, however, simply do not allow children in the workplace. Additionally, not every workplace is appropriate for children, and some workplaces do not allow unauthorized personnel of any age.
If you need to take the day off or work from home to care for your child, your employer should accommodate this request. In fact, some laws – like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) – protect your right to take time off to care for family members.
Navigating parental rights in the workplace can be difficult, but Donati Law, PLLC is here to help.
What About Nursing Mothers?
Federal law requires employers to provide a private place and reasonable break time for nursing mothers to express breast milk. Tennessee law also requires employers to accommodate breastfeeding mothers at work.
Although a nursing mother’s ability to bring her child into the office and breastfeed at work is at the employer’s discretion, she is entitled to privacy and the opportunity to express milk every 3 hours. If a new mother wants to stay home to breastfeed or bond with her child, she is also entitled to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave in the first year of her child’s life under FMLA.
A Note About At-Will Employment
Tennessee is an at-will employment state, which means employers may legally terminate employees at any time for any reason – or no reason – without opening themselves up to liability. Nevertheless, employers cannot fire an employee based on their race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, or disability.
Employment decisions that discriminate against workers with caregiving responsibilities are illegal at the federal level if they are based on sex or another protected characteristic. For example, firing a woman because she is pregnant or plans to become pregnant is against the law.
Unfortunately, employers are not required to be understanding as long as they are adhering to all relevant employment laws. Still, you may need to fight for your rights under FMLA or hold your employer accountable for gender discrimination or wrongful termination.
If you need help understanding or protecting your rights, choose Donati Law, PLLC to represent you. Every client is a cause we believe in, and our mission is to improve lives.
When you contact us, your case becomes our cause, so do not hesitate to call us at (901) 209-5500 or send us a message online today.