Sparta, NJT: 973.729.1880F: 973.729.1224LCRLAW.COM


   

New Jersey Law Against Discrimination Expanded To Include Breastfeeding

New Jersey Law Against Discrimination Expanded To Include Breastfeeding

On January 8, 2018, New Jersey amended its Law Against Discrimination to include breastfeeding as a protected category. The amendment requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to breastfeeding employees and prohibits discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment. Under the new law, reasonable accommodations include providing break time to express breast milk, and providing a nearby, private, sanitary location (but not a bathroom stall) to do so.

In light of this new amendment, employers should review their employee handbooks to ensure the anti-discrimination and reasonable accommodation language includes breastfeeding. Employers should also train managers on how to respond to requests for accommodations from breastfeeding women and be prepared to provide suitable accommodations in their workplace.

If you need any assistance in complying with this new law, please contact one of our Labor and Employment attorneys: Tom Ryan, Esq. (tryan@lcrlaw.com); Ursula Leo, Esq. (uleo@lcrlaw.com); Jessica Jansyn, Esq. (jjansyn@lcrlaw.com); or Michael Darbee, Esq. (mdarbee@lcrlaw.com). Our attorneys can also be reached by phone at (973) 729-1880.