This case challenged Fossil, Inc.’s discriminatory actions against a woman who was breastfeeding in the company’s New York showroom. On Aug. 8, 2006, Lass King was on a buying trip to the Fossil showroom in New York City for the boutique she worked at in Maine when she stopped to breastfeed her eight-week-old son. Ms. King was told to leave the showroom after she started breastfeeding her son and was later told she was banned from the showroom. On Feb. 12, 2007, the NYCLU Reproductive Rights Project sent a letter to Fossil, Inc. arguing that the Fossil employees violated New York Civil Rights Law when they forced Ms. King to nurse in a segregated location and then expelled her before she was able to finish her work.

In June 2007, the NYCLU, with Paul, Weiss, Rifkin and Garrison acting as co-counsel, reached a settlement with Fossil, Inc. Fossil issued a letter of apology and agreed to compensate her for her damages. In addition, Fossil issued a breastfeeding policy making clear that women may breastfeed in any Fossil store or showroom. 

Attorney(s)

Galen Sherwin, director of the NYCLU Reproductive Rights Project

Court

State

Status

Closed