Catherwood LibraryILR School

A U.S. District Court judge's ruling in a class action workplace discrimination suit has drawn the ire of womens groups and civil liberties advocates, and re-awakened the debate over the role of companies in helping employees, and particularly women, maintain a work-life balance. Judge Loretta Preska ruled Wednesday against a suit brought against Bloomber L.P. that claimed the company had demonstrated a clear pattern of discrimination against expectant mothers and working parents. Judge Preska stated that there was no obligation for companies to facilitate a work-life balance for employees, and that employees had to expect that the choice to pursue a professional life would result in sacrifices in their personal life. The decision immediately drew an outcry from civil rights advocates, calling the judge's views "outdated" and out of touch with the daily challenges working mothers face.