Two officers in the City of Florence, Kentucky Police Department were subjected to a discriminatory policy that pushed them off the job while pregnant in 2014.
Officer Lyndi Trischler was pushed out of her job patrolling the streets at 5 months pregnant because of a city-wide policy that granted light for on-the-job injuries but not for pregnant workers. Officer Trischler and her family struggled financially during an already complicated pregnancy.
Officer Sam Riley was similarly denied an accommodation and was forced to work the streets while enduring great pain caused by the weight of a heavy gun belt and other equipment.
We called on the City of Florence to end their discriminatory policies in 2014.
Background
In 2014, A Better Balance has filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against the City of Florence, on behalf of Officer Trischler. Officer Trischler was originally told that she would not even be able to keep her health benefits once she went on unpaid leave, but after A Better Balance became involved on her behalf, the City then allowed her to keep her health insurance throughout her pregnancy and recovery from childbirth. That was only the first victory of this story, and we kept fighting for much more. In 2015, we became Officer Riley’s attorney as well. Officers Trischler and Riley were also represented by the prominent employment law firm Outten & Golden LLP.
On October 26, 2016 a landmark agreement was announced by the United States Department of Justice and the City of Florence. More than two years after we began our fight. The City of Florence will change its policies to ensure that what happened to Officer’s Trischler and Riley won’t happen again. The City will also have to restore paid leave to the officers and compensate them for their losses, paying out $135,000 in damages and attorneys fees.
Media Highlights
These Police Officers Fought to Make the Job Pregnancy-Friendly – And Won, Fit Pregnancy, November 3, 2016
Pregnancy was excruciating for these police officers. Now they’ve won the right to work in comfort. Think Progress, November 1, 2016
2 Kentucky Police Officers Win Pregnancy Discrimination Case, NY Times, October 26, 2016
Pregnant Police Officer Files Lawsuit Against City, WTRF 7, August 21, 2014
Heavily pregnant Kentucky police officer told she must stay on PATROL or take unpaid leave. . . even though they can’t find her a bullet proof jacket that fits, The Daily Mail UK, August 20, 2014
Pregnant Florence officer says city policy forced her to take unpaid leave, WCPO 9, August 20, 2014
Pregnant Kentucky police officer bristles at department’s decision on sick leave, ABC 6, August 20, 2014
Pregnant Florence police officer told to keep patrolling or take unpaid leave, WTVM 9, August 20, 2014
Pregnant Police Officer Files Discrimination Claim, My Fox Philly, August 20, 2014
Pregnant Florence police officer told to keep patrolling or take unpaid leave, Fox 19, August 20, 2014
Pregnant cop forced to continue patrol work -or take unpaid leave, Today, August 19, 2014
Field work or no pay for pregnant Kentucky police officer Lyndi Trischler, CBS This Morning, August 19, 2014
Pregnant Officer, Job Requirements Collide in Kentucky, WFMY News 2, August 18, 2014
Police work, pregnancy collide in Ky. town, USA Today, August 18, 2014
Pregnancy, police work collide in Florence, Cincinnati.com, August 16, 2014
Pregnant women fight to keep jobs via ‘reasonable accommodations’, The Washington Post, August 4, 2014
