Pumping in a bathroom at work

blueyez09

so I work in a government leased building with a mix of Army Civilians, Active Duty, and Contractors...just walked into our bathroom on my floor and there's a woman sitting pumping... I didn't want to say anything but I had to ask if this was their solution to accomodating her need to pump...and it was.

Maybe someone can share what laws are in place about accomodating a place for a mother to pump while at work. I'd love to be able to pass that information along to someone.

TIA

katie6195

Doesn't matter what state you're in. Your employer MUST provide time (unpaid) and place NOT a bathroom to pump. It's a federal law! The fact that this is a government building and they aren't respecting this woman's rights is disgusting. Please let this mama know her rights. Here's a link... i can't make it clicky. https://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14389  

blueyez09

Thanks ladies, I printed it and posted it where she pumps, I don't know her but I hope she'll find it and read it.

To make matters worse I mentioned something to my boss about it and SHE was like, yea that's what the bathroom is for, we don't have accomodate a pumping mother...

Made me want to quit before we have our next baby!

cpmich

They must under Federal law provide a place other than a bathroom.  See https://www.dol.gov/whd/nursingmothers/.

If they don't, you can file a complaint with the Dept of Labor by calling 1-866-487-9243 or going to the WHD Web site at
https://www.dol.gov/wecanhelp/howtofilecomplaint.htm

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, known as the ?Affordable Care Act?) amended section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (?FLSA?) to require employers to provide ?reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for 1 year after the child?s birth each time such employee has need to express the milk.? Employers are required to provide ?a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.? See 29 U.S.C. 207(r).  "An employer shall not be required to compensate an employee receiving reasonable break time [for expressing breast milk] for any work time spent for such purpose.'' 29 U.S.C. 207(r)(2).