TEXAS, USA — The U.S. Department of Labor says a Lubbock Whataburger illegally denied a nursing mother from expressing breast milk.
The department's Wage and Hour Division found the restaurant didn't provide a reasonable break time for that employee to step away in private as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act, according to a release.
When the nursing mother left the restaurant to express milk, Whataburger fired her, the release states.
To resolve the violations, the San Antonio-based company signed an Enhanced Compliance Agreement stating it will provide training to all managers in the future.
Whataburger is to pay $1,800 in wages and damages, the release states.
"Under the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, most nursing employees have the right to reasonable break time and a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view to express breast milk while at work. This right is available for up to one year after the child’s birth," it reads.
In a statement to KENS 5, Whataburger said it was "unable to comment on this particular situation" before added the company supports parent employees "as they balance work and family.
"Whataburger understands the unique challenges facing nursing mothers at work and has an official company policy that upholds the right to time and privacy," the statement reads. "We strongly believe that nursing mothers have the right to reasonable break time and a private place, other than a bathroom, to express breast milk."