If LaNisa worked in an office instead of a warehouse and not been a temporary employee (many warehouse and factory workers are employed via contract ), her additional daily 10 minute break would not have been a fire-able offense.

LaNisa was busted in the bathroom pumping and when she spoke to a supervisor later that day to ask if they could adjust her break schedule, they fired her.

Thank you for your note and concerns regarding the Ohio Supreme Court Ruling regarding the termination of a temporary employee.

As a matter of policy, totes»ISOTONER is not able to provide specific information surrounding the employment circumstances of any employee. What we can share is that based on the circumstances involved with this specific temporary employee, the totes»ISOTONER employment decision has been supported by the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, the Ohio Court of Appeals for the 12th District and the Ohio Supreme Court. And while we cannot specifically address the Ohio Supreme Court Ruling, we can share several of our workplace practices:

· totes»ISOTONER absolutely supports employees, whether full-time, part-time, or temporary, who are also nursing mothers.
· totes»ISOTONER does provide time for nursing mothers to pump their breast milk and many employees have taken advantage of this accommodation. In the case presented to the Supreme Court, we did provide this accommodation.
· totes»ISOTONER is a company committed to supporting our employees. Because females account for approximately 70% of our work force, we are very attuned to and supportive of the needs of working mothers.

Again, thank you for your note and expressing your views on this issue. We take great pride in our culture of being a family oriented company, and can only indicate there were other factors involved in this particular situation which led to the company’s decision in this case.
We appreciate your having been a customer in the past and hope you will reconsider your decision in this regard going forward.

Sincerely,

Vickie Fightmaster
Human Resources Manager
totes»ISOTONER

To Whom It May Concern,

I read, in disbelief, the decision of the Ohio Supreme Court regarding the termination of LaNisa Allen for taking breaks to pump breast milk for her baby.

While the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision is reprehensible, the fact that totes>>ISOTONER Corporation would even consider firing a woman for pumping breast milk to feed her baby is truly appalling.

I believe that consumers “vote” with their wallets every day, with every purchase we make. When we buy products we are “voting” not only for a particular product but we are sending a message to the companies that make and sell their products that we agree with their practices, we like the way they treat their employees, we like the way they treat the environment, etc…

After having surgery on my hand, I have been wearing an Isotoner Therapeutic Glove for 9 months or so. The news of this decision has come at an opportune time, I was just about to buy another glove but now hearing this news, I vote NO on products from totes>>ISOTONER Corporation.

With Disgust,
Christy Bannister

After reading the Ohio Supreme Court ruling that in favor of your company firing an employee because of her choice to breastfeed her child, I will never purchase your products again. A company that has as many women customers as yours should understand the benefit of supporting your employees in making healthy choices. I support companies that support American family values; Totes is not that kind of company so my family will be boycotting your products.

Sincerely

The circle is complete.

What’s particularly shocking is that the decision was written by a female justice.

I say we look for a legislative response.

How? Seriously, HOW?!!

I am so flabber-gasted I can’t formulate a response.