Catherine Glenn Foster, President & CEO of Americans United for Life, reflects on reporting from Natalie Kitroeff and Jessica Silver-Greenberg of The New York Times on allegations of workplace discrimination facing Planned Parenthood:
“Planned Parenthood’s apparent history of discrimination against women and mothers, as told by Natalie Kitroeff and Jessica Silver-Greenberg of The New York Times, is deeply troubling to all Americans who believe in fair treatment and the celebration of women, motherhood, and new life.
“The New York Times investigation into Planned Parenthood’s alleged workplace discrimination suggests that their leadership is characterized by a bias against mothers generally, and pregnant women employees specifically. Allegations are widespread, national in scope, and serious, including managers refusing to hire pregnant candidates, leadership refusing requests by expectant mothers for simple rest breaks, and most disappointingly, proud new mothers being fired after giving birth. Leana Wen, President of Planned Parenthood, says she is investigating this widespread discrimination. Unfortunately, the truth is that American taxpayers presently have no real way to hold Leana Wen or Planned Parenthood accountable, because this is an organization that claims political persecution whenever legitimate questions are raised about the scope of its activities, the medical conditions of its facilities, its compliance or noncompliance with the basic health and safety regulations that any legitimate medical facility would have to meet, or in this case, the basic rights and treatment of its workers.
“In 2014, Planned Parenthood claimed to be a supporter of “pregnant workers’ equality” and called on the Supreme Court to put a stop to “pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.” Today’s New York Times investigation, however, underscores the reality that Planned Parenthood is simply not a credible voice on issues of health, safety, and the basic well-being of its own workers.
“Americans should be asking themselves why enormous amounts of taxpayer funds are subsidizing the operations of an organization with no meaningful public accountability and with a demonstrable history of saying one thing, but doing another.”
