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Tidal hit with discrimination and unfair dismissal lawsuit
By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 24 November 2016
Streaming firm Tidal has found itself at the wrong end of yet another lawsuit, this time a discrimination and unfair dismissal case, after an employee, who was a new mother, was allegedly denied the use of a private room to use her breast pump.
Lisette Paulson claims that she was denied her rights under the US constitution and New York state law. Initially brought in as a consultant, Paulson’s lawsuit says that she was then taken on as a full time employee after her maternity leave.
Upon returning, in September 2015, she discussed a number of matters with COO Deiree Perez, including requiring a private room to use her breast pump. Perez allegedly replied that she should use the toilet. When told that this would not be suitable, Paulson was asked if it was strictly necessary to use the breast pump at all. Despite assurances that it would be worked out, the next day Paulson was fired.
US maternity leave is different from that in most other industrialised nations, in that women are only granted twelve weeks of unpaid leave by law after the birth of their child. Although if you work for Tidal rival Spotify, you do get a somewhat better deal.
Paulson is seeking unspecified damages, as well as legal costs. She is also demanding a jury trial.
