McDonald’s class action claims restaurants don’t provide employees adequate breastfeeding space

McDonald’s class action overview: 

• Who: McDonald’s is facing a class action lawsuit from a pair of female employees.  
• Why: The class action claims McDonald’s does not provide proper space for employees to express breast milk, a violation of the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers (PUMP) Act. 
• Where: The McDonald’s class action was filed in federal court in Illinois.

A class action from McDonald’s employees claims the company does not provide proper space to express breast milk as required by law.

Employers are mandated by the federal Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers (PUMP) Act to provide a private space for employees to protect breast milk — which must be separate from a bathroom.

“Employees are forced to pump breast milk in unsanitary stock rooms, offices open to the rest of the staff, bathrooms or their private vehicles,” the McDonald’s employees’ lawsuit says. “Defendants’ failure to provide sufficient lactation accommodation is a systemic issue that has impacted employees at locations throughout the country.” 

McDonald’s class action: Mothers unable to pump breast milk can experience adverse effects

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children receive breastfeeding exclusively for six months after birth and ideally the first year. Breastfeeding has been proven to be beneficial for children’s health and immune system and also their emotional and psychological development, the McDonald’s breastfeeding space lawsuit says.

“Not providing supportive accommodations for nursing mothers can have a negative impact on their physical, mental and emotional health,” the McDonald’s employees’ class action says. “Mothers unable to pump breast milk can experience engorgement, which can be painful and lead to infection. They also produce less milk for their babies.”

Complying with the PUMP Act is simple with a prefabricated temporary space installed, the lawsuit claims. Despite this, McDonald’s still allegedly fails to provide such spaces for its employees, including lead plaintiffs Kathleen Faber and Lexis Mays, the class action says.

Ulta Beauty Incorporated is also facing a class action lawsuit alleging it violated federal law by failing to provide a reasonable break time and place for employees to express breast milk.

Have you had issues finding a proper space to express breast milk at work? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Lisa R. Considine and Oren Faircloth of Siri and Glimstad LLP.

The McDonald’s class action lawsuit is Faber, et al. v. McDonald’s USA LLC, et al., Case No. 1:24-cv-01246, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

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