Victory for New York City police officers’ rights to start a family without sacrificing their careers

A collaborative effort by the PBA and Legal Momentum, a women’s legal defense and advocacy group, has resulted in an important victory for New York City police officers’ rights to start a family without sacrificing their careers. In fact, pursuant to a discrimination complaint filed on behalf of PBA member Akema Thompson, the city has agreed to reverse its policy and allow for the rescheduling of promotional exams missed due to pregnancy or childbirth for all city workers whose tests are administered by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS).

In 2013, despite numerous requests by P.O. Thompson and the PBA, DCAS refused to reschedule her Sergeant's exam even though it was scheduled on the same day that she was expecting her first child. In response, the PBA engaged Legal Momentum, which has extensive experience in this area, to assist her in filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Full details of the case are in the attached Legal Momentum press release. Also attached is a Legal Momentum fact sheet entitled: “Know your rights: rescheduling civil service tests due to pregnancy.”