‘Would actually make mooing noises’: Deputy says she was mocked at work for breastfeeding
Hannah Jones speaks to a local news crew in Idaho about negative experiences at work after returning from leave (KIVI).
An Idaho deputy is taking legal action against her employer, alleging she was subjected to harassment and discrimination after returning from maternity leave, according to a lawsuit filed in state court.
Hannah Jones, who has worked for more than three years at the Mini-Cassia County Criminal Justice Center, a facility operated by the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office in Burley, Idaho, says her experience at work shifted dramatically after she came back from leave in October 2023.
Jones described her time before maternity leave as largely positive, but claims that once she returned, she was exposed over several months to what she calls ongoing harassment, discriminatory treatment, and retaliation.
In an interview with Boise television station KIVI, she said the situation quickly became uncomfortable and degrading. She said coworkers made repeated remarks about her breastfeeding and the need to pump during work hours, comments she found humiliating.
According to her allegations, the behavior from colleagues included demeaning jokes and public mockery. She said coworkers compared her to a cow and made mooing sounds while she walked through the building, sometimes in front of inmates and outside personnel.
Jones also claims the conduct escalated further, including a comment from a male supervisor suggesting she should have had her “titties” exposed while responding to a fight.
She said she reported the behavior internally, but felt her complaints were not taken seriously. After raising concerns, she believes she experienced retaliation at work, which ultimately led her to escalate the matter beyond her employer.
Following those internal reports, Jones filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Idaho Human Rights Commission. She said both agencies issued findings that supported her claims.
Jones is now pursuing a lawsuit against the sheriff’s office, alleging sexual harassment and gender discrimination.
The sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Speaking about the broader impact, Jones said the experience has made her reconsider her career path and raised concerns about how similar treatment might affect other women entering law enforcement, particularly those balancing work with motherhood.
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