A Better Balance

With Powerful Language on the Nature of Discrimination, U.S. Appeals Court Revives Race Discrimination Case Against Alabama

August 3, 2018
Defending Local Democracy

In an exciting ruling, a federal appeals court held that a group of Birmingham, AL, residents could go ahead with their lawsuit claiming that a state law rolling back Birmingham’s minimum wage increase constituted race discrimination in violation of the Constitution.

Reject Rubio’s Radical Raid on Social Security and Pass Real Paid Leave

August 2, 2018
Paid Family Leave

Senator Marco Rubio filed a new bill today that would provide parental leave benefits by cutting Social Security. ABB rejects the false choice between the time to care for ourselves and our families and a secure retirement.

Press Release: Lawsuit Filed Against Donut Shop for Discriminating Against Pregnant Employee

August 2, 2018
City Laws, Pregnant Workers Fairness, State Laws

A Better Balance filed a lawsuit today on behalf of a food service worker in upper Manhattan who—in a case of blatant and overt discrimination— was fired for being pregnant.

Celebrating Victories, Energizing for the Road Ahead: Equality Federation Leadership Conference 2018

July 31, 2018
Defending Local Democracy, LGBTQ, State Laws, Uncategorized

One of the many high points at the conference was hearing about the incredible cross-movement work happening at the local level, even in the face of state interference.

A Better Balance Launches Policy Brief Series on Paid Leave and the Future Of Work

July 26, 2018
Paid Family Leave, State Laws

Today, we launched Constructing 21st Century Rights For A Changing Workforce, a new series of policy briefs analyzing key issues in covering non-standard and precarious workers under paid leave laws. The first brief focuses on how paid family and medical leave laws can cover self-employed workers like freelancers and independent contractors.

Walmart’s Absence Policy Forces Pregnant Workers to Choose between a Healthy Pregnancy and a Pink Slip

July 24, 2018
Absence control, Pregnant Workers Fairness, State Laws

Leigha Klopp was pregnant and working at Walmart. One morning, she woke up vomiting blood. She called the store to tell them that she was going to the hospital, on the advice of her obstetrician, and that she would need to miss work. When she returned for her next scheduled shift, Walmart fired her. We filed a class-action lawsuit against Walmart on behalf of Ms. Klopp and another former Walmart employee.

Press Release: Class-Action Lawsuit Alleges Walmart’s Absence Control Policy Discriminates Against Pregnant Workers

July 24, 2018
Pregnant Workers Fairness, State Laws

A Better Balance filed a class-action lawsuit today, challenging Walmart’s “no-fault” absence control policy as systemically violating the rights of women who need leave for pregnancy-related illnesses or medical care. The lawsuit is being brought on behalf of two former Walmart employees and is the first class action brought under New York's Pregnant Worker Fairness Act.

Beware: Congress’s “WorkFlex” Bill is an Attack on Workers, Families, and Local Democracy

July 23, 2018
Defending Local Democracy, Fair & Flexible Work, LGBTQ, National Laws, Paid Family Leave, Paid Sick Time

Congress's “Workflex in the 21st Century” bill will undermine robust state and local paid sick leave and fair scheduling laws as well as efforts nationwide to ensure that workers can take time off to care for their loved ones.

Kavanaugh Nomination Puts Women’s and Workers’ Rights at Risk

July 10, 2018
National Laws

We are deeply concerned by President Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the U.S. Supreme Court seat vacated by Justice Anthony Kennedy. Kavanaugh’s appointment could have profound implications for the rights of women, low-wage workers, and other vulnerable groups.

Speaking Up and Fighting Back Against Caregiver Discrimination in All Workplaces

July 10, 2018
Workplace Equality

Knowing your rights is the first step to asserting your rights. A Better Balance has a variety of online resources to help you better understand your workplace rights around caring for yourself and for loved ones.