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Breastfeeding at the workplace- laws
Does anyone know the specifics about breastfeeding at work?
We have a room, which I know is required for larger companies, but HR is now saying that we cannot reserve/schedule our pumping times because the room is open to everyone as it is a wellness room, not a nursing mothers room. I have had trouble getting into the room in the past and I am on a schedule for pumping which correlates to when DD is fed. There are two of us using the room to pump right now and in a few months there will be 5 of us total. I know we are all going to have issues finding times to use this room especially since it's open to anyone to use it. I am just wondering if we have any rights besides the fact that my employer only has to give us a place to pump.
Oh and our alternatives if that room is occupied are: the locker room for our gym, a storage closet or a conference room with lots of windows. I wouldnt want to do it in any of those above places.
Re: Breastfeeding at the workplace- laws
Wow. That stinks. I don't know the exact laws with breastfeeding but way to make your return to work even more stressful.
Photo taken at 16 months old
Minnesota
Minn. Stat. Ann. ? 145.894 directs the state commissioner of health to develop and implement a public education program promoting the provisions of the Maternal and Child Nutrition Act. The education programs must include a campaign to promote breastfeeding.
Minn. Stat. ? 145.905 provides that a mother may breastfeed in any location, public or private, where the mother and child are authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother's breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.
Minn. Stat. ? 181.939 (1998) requires employers to provide daily unpaid break time for a mother to express breast milk for her infant child. Employers are also required to make a reasonable effort to provide a private location, other than a toilet stall, in close proximity to the workplace for this activity. (SB 2751)
Minn. Stat. Ann. ? 617.23 specifies that breastfeeding does not constitute indecent exposure."
Link.
I'm not sure what all this says, but it sounds like your employer has to provide space for only you to use. They cannot say that if the room is being used that you can just use a stall or a closet.
The way I heard it worded was that they only had to provide the space. Have you all sat down and talked about it as a group with HR? Maybe a solution can be worked out?
ETA: My work place has a mother's room next to the bathroom where the moms just work out a schedule with each other. Fortunately, it has no other purpose.
I'm sorry I'm not better help. I quit pumping by my second week back to work.
The siggy pic is AWESOME! I like it.
you may not be comfortable doing this, but I would just walk in, use it to pump. If someone else was there and cared...they can leave and complain if they want.
I'm guessing if a couple of you did this just once or twice, they'd be wanting to work with you
oh, and contact your la leche league leader. they'll be willing to help you.
This is what I was thinking. You could just schedule it privately and no one would know the difference.
I wouldn't be comfortable doing this, well maybe if I had a cover, but if you are, I would do this! I don't know enough about the statute, but it doesn't seem like they are providing you with a private space if they aren't willing to have a schedule.
I agree with contacting your local le leche league. They may be able to provide you with some helpful information. I contacted them a few months ago by e-mail when I was having some supply issues, and they were so helpful. Sometimes it helps just to have someone to talk to about it.
It p!sses me off that our society is so breastfeeding unfriendly! UGH, I could go off about this, but I won't...
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The statute requires an employer to make "reasonable efforts" to provide a private place. They aren't actually required to provide a private place. And a storage closet would likely count in many workplaces.
I don't know. I think a room is pretty good. Many places don't do that. The scheduling aspect sucks, but I think I get their reasoning. Just work out a private schedule.
Well, it doesn't seem to me like they're making reasonable efforts, but I'm sure they think they are. I know you're right that she is getting more than most people do, but it's just not right. Employers don't realize what it takes to be a breastfeeding/pumping mom, nor do they probably care.
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this Mrs.Sarah&Micah! It makes me feel even more lucky that I have my own office. I hope you're able to work it out!
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It is a private room at certain times. It sounds like there are times when she can't use the room since there are other people in it. To keep your supply up and to meet the demands of your child while you are away, you should pump when the child usually eats (like she stated in her original post). I'm sure her company is in compliance with the law, it's just too bad there is not a better room!
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Out of curiosity...would it be weird to have 5 women in the same room pumping at the same time? I know ZERO about BF-ing so I'm just curious.
There was a pretty long post on married life recently about a woman having to pump in the bathroom and there were many different opinions on that. I think I'd rather pump with other women in a clean room than in a bathroom stall but I know that isn't the issue here. And again, that is not based on any real BF-ing knowledge. :-)
The room is about 7 feet by 7 feet, no windows. There is a sink (which is hugely beneficial for washing pump parts or rinsing them afterwards) and a fridge (for storing milk) There is one chair. It would be pretty hard to fit 5 women in there so we can all do our thing. There is a lock on the door, which people definitely lock all the time. If the door is closed, you know someone is in the room.
I guess it is just irriating that they are not seeming to try harder to provide for all the moms but I guess based on what I read, they are doing what they are required.
If my only options were in a room with 5 women or in a bathroom stall, I would definitely choose the room with the 5 women! It would probably be awkward at first, but I guess you would get used to it. I don't even like having my H in the room when I'm pumping, but I have. Everyone's comfort level is different!
This might be TMI for some, so I apologize, but when I pump, I pull my shirt up and put the shields in my bra. I guess it's not as bad as having no shirt on, but can you imagine pulling your shirt up in front of anyone you work with? If someone else was in the room with me, I would probably wear a cover. Someone else might not wear a cover, which wouldn't bother me.
Luckily in MN, the room that is provided can't be a bathroom, so that's good at least!
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Married Bio
Gotcha. So your employer objects to have a set schedule for that room? Who else might use the room other than pumping moms? I would be tempted to get together with the other pumpers and just make your own schedule. But would you run the risk of some other random person being in there during your "scheduled" time and then it's too bad so sad because the rest of the time is "scheduled" by the other moms?
Man....what a headache. I would go out on a limb and assume a bunch of old men are making up these rules? :-) I hope you get something worked out that is comfortable for everyone!
That's good!! To quote someone on that other post, "I don't want to make lunch where I poop!"
I don't know why I'm suddenly so intrigued by all of this - hah.
I was wondering the same thing. Maybe the business needs it for reasonable accommodations for someone under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), too? I don't know the ADA real well but maybe having a sign up sheet would violate privacy under the Act.
Tired after a long morning of hiking and swimming.
Just off the top of my head, diabetics may need a space to test blood sugar or inject insulin. I'm sure there are lots of medical reasons why someone could need a private, non-bathroom space at work, aside from breast feeding.