Q: What are an employer’s legal responsibilities and duties for breastfeeding and/or pumping at work?
A: You have asked a difficult question. Legally, it is usually not mandated that a mother be allowed to breastfeed or pump at work. Legally,however, in most employment situations, employees must be allowed breaks and meal times. There is legislation pending to try and protect women’s rights to pump at work. Please read the information under the La Leche League website, which is quite extensive regarding this issue, at http://www.lalecheleague.org/LawBills.phpl. I do not know which state or country you live in, and there are differences depending on where you live. Many mothers are able to amenably work out a solution with employers by sitting down and discussing their needs, and by educating the employer on the fact that babies who are breastfed are healthier. Therefore allowing time to pump milk may pay off in less days missed by the mother to care for a sick baby.
You may want to discuss your individual situation with your local La Leche League Leader, who has extensive information available from the Professional Liaison program to assist you. Hope all will go well for you in your quest to continue providing your baby with the world’s best milk!
by Ann Calandro
RNC, IBCLC
