{"id":777644,"date":"2021-08-02T12:48:32","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T17:48:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.bumpboxes.com\/?p=777644"},"modified":"2022-06-30T09:43:30","modified_gmt":"2022-06-30T14:43:30","slug":"breast-pumping-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bumpboxes.com\/blog\/breast-pumping-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Breast pumping in the workplace: know your rights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Okay, we all know the U.S. leaves much to be desired in terms of women\u2019s rights, but if you\u2019re a breastfeeding mama headed back to work, there is one law that you should know about: the Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The law states that employers are required to provide breastfeeding mothers with reasonable break time and spaces to privately express milk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do reasonable break times and spaces *actually* look like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start with the space itself\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the law, the space provided cannot be a bathroom and must offer at least some privacy. It must be \u2018shielded from view and free from intrusion by coworkers or the public.\u2019 It does not, however, have to be a permanent, dedicated space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, onto \u2018reasonable\u2019 breaks\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. Department of Labor\u2019s Wage and Hour Division (WHD)<\/a> reports that reasonable break time is defined as \u2018each time such employee has need to express the milk.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your manager, boss, or employer refuses to accommodate you when you return to work, you\u2019ll need to advocate for yourself. The WHD is responsible for enforcing the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law, so call the toll-free WHD number 1-800-487-9243. You will then be directed to your nearest WHD office for assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear lawmakers, uh, we can do better<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Well, that\u2019s a start, right? But we could + should *seriously* do better. Here are our suggestions, if you\u2019re interested, good sirs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 Require that employers create a permanent lactation space.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When mothers aren\u2019t provided with a permanent space, they\u2019re often forced to pump in makeshift spaces that are awkward and uncomfortable. And news flash: hearing your coworkers in the next room while you\u2019re topless and expressing milk from your tatas isn\u2019t exactly relaxing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, when you feel like you\u2019re inconveniencing coworkers because you\u2019re using a space that would otherwise be freed up for them, that also adds unnecessary stress and feelings of guilt \u2013 two things moms don\u2019t exactly need more of.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 Require that employers provide a space + reasonable breaks beyond the first year of baby\u2019s life. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sooo, the law only protects breastfeeding moms for one year after the child\u2019s birth. That means if you choose to continue breastfeeding your child after the one-year mark (as many moms do), your employer is no longer obligated to provide you with break times or<\/em> a private space to express milk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baby\u2019s don\u2019t just stop breastfeeding on their first birthdays. A lot of moms continue breastfeeding beyond that milestone, and if a mom chooses to do that, she should be accommodated. She shouldn\u2019t be forced to choose between feeding her baby the way she wants and keeping her job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 Require employers to provide hourly employees with paid breaks for pumping.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the current law, employers are not required to pay hourly employees for breaks taken to pump. Sure, you can use any available break time you have (a whopping 15 minutes, twice a shift for most people), but outside of that, you may be off the clock to pump. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pumping isn\u2019t like \u2018slack off time\u2019 for moms who just don\u2019t want to do their jobs. It\u2019s work to feed a baby. So, let\u2019s not punish moms who get paid hourly, huh? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just a couple of suggestions. We\u2019re happy to provide more ideas on how you can support working moms if you\u2019re interested, lawmakers. You know where to find us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

P.S. To the moms who are pumping at work\u2026<\/strong>If you feel a little weird about pumping at work and knowing your coworkers are near, try putting on some music. It\u2019s not easy being a mom, but you\u2019re doing such a great job of providing for your baby and keeping your milk supply up. So, try not to worry about what anyone else may or may not be thinking. Do y\u2019a thing. Pro tip:<\/em> Use our Top 5 Breast Pumping Hacks<\/a> to make pumping a breeze, no matter where you are!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Okay, we all know the U.S. leaves much to be desired in terms of women\u2019s rights, but if you\u2019re a breastfeeding mama headed back to work, there is one law that you should know about: the Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law.\u00a0 The law states that employers are required to provide breastfeeding mothers with reasonable…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":778354,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5370,476,483],"tags":[5380,5382,28,379,5381],"class_list":["post-777644","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breastfeeding","category-motherhood","category-wellness-physical","tag-back-to-work","tag-break-time-for-nursing-mothers-law","tag-breastfeeding-2","tag-pumping","tag-working-moms"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBreast pumping in the workplace: know your rights : Bump Boxes Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you a breastfeeding mama headed back to work? 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