Court: Nationwide Insurance Did Not Discriminate Against Breastfeeding Employee

An Iowa appeals court says Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. didn’t discriminate against a breastfeeding mother who resigned under pressure on her first day back from maternity leave.

Angela Ames, an employee in its Des Moines office, claims that she resigned in 2010 after a female superior told her that it would be “best that you just go home to be with your babies.” She says she was upset because the company refused to give her access to a lactation room so she could pump breast milk.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the case should be dismissed before trial, finding Ames didn’t prove that her treatment was so bad that any reasonable person would’ve resigned.

Ames’ attorney, Paige Fiedler, says she’s disappointed and will seek a rehearing.