Pumping at Work (What are my rights?)

DreamChaser246

I've been a bad bumpie, work has been busy! =( I haven't even been able to lurk lately.

So at work, I just got walked in on while pumping.

Background, my work doesn't provide a specific "lactation room". Based upon it being available, we get to use the health services exam room. Inside it has a note on the wall that "health services may need to access the room while we are pumping, but they will knock first". Health services is all women, in the months that I have been pumping it has only happened once so far. If anything else (the massage therapist that comes once a week, the whatever going on) needs the room, they obviously get priority. I've only been kicked out a few times, but it really stinks (to say the least).

All conference rooms/offices are "open" with clear glass walls, so other than the bathrooms, this is my only option. It is a large company, so well within the legal requirements of providing a room. Unfortunatly a conference room or office won't work here because of the setup.

Thankfully, recently, my department moved buildings... so I am now no longer a 10 min walk either direction from the pumping room (three buildings over) and I'm now a 3 minute walk (one building over). Needless to say, I am on a large campus.

While I was pumping today, a man just burst in (bet he will think twice before opening a closed door next time). The nurse knew that I was there, but either forgot, or didn't get a chance to stop him (he had to get past her to get into the room, and with her not there the entire health center is locked). Obviously they apologized (including the guy that was still in the waiting room talking to the nurse). He wasn't there for medical needs, some higher-up discussing some health center issue with her.

I think I'm the only one, at this office site, that is pumping (we have easily several thousand people here, we are headquarters). So I'm happy to share the room with another lactating mom, but am I entited to a locked door? Is my company doing something wrong by not having the room available? I don't want to cause a stink, but I feel like I should at least be able to have privacy in a pumping room for the 20 minutes that I am there, twice a day (or at least only be there with another mom pumping). What are my rights? Should I be required to leave the door unlocked for the nurse to access the fridge, if she needs it? The room has enough barriers that I shouldn't need to leave a sign up that I am there (I can only get in if the nurse is there, otherwise the room is inacessible to me).

What are my rights?

JuneBug0611

I could be wrong, but I don't think we're entitled to any particular dedicated space for pumping (locked or otherwise), but rather we're just entitled to take breaks (unpaid) to pump.  Various states might be more protective, of course...

Jills83

DreamChaser246:

I've been a bad bumpie, work has been busy! =( I haven't even been able to lurk lately.

So at work, I just got walked in on while pumping.

Background, my work doesn't provide a specific "lactation room". Based upon it being available, we get to use the health services exam room. Inside it has a note on the wall that "health services may need to access the room while we are pumping, but they will knock first". Health services is all women, in the months that I have been pumping it has only happened once so far. If anything else (the massage therapist that comes once a week, the whatever going on) needs the room, they obviously get priority. I've only been kicked out a few times, but it really stinks (to say the least).

All conference rooms/offices are "open" with clear glass walls, so other than the bathrooms, this is my only option. It is a large company, so well within the legal requirements of providing a room. Unfortunatly a conference room or office won't work here because of the setup.

Thankfully, recently, my department moved buildings... so I am now no longer a 10 min walk either direction from the pumping room (three buildings over) and I'm now a 3 minute walk (one building over). Needless to say, I am on a large campus.

While I was pumping today, a man just burst in (bet he will think twice before opening a closed door next time). The nurse knew that I was there, but either forgot, or didn't get a chance to stop him (he had to get past her to get into the room, and with her not there the entire health center is locked). Obviously they apologized (including the guy that was still in the waiting room talking to the nurse). He wasn't there for medical needs, some higher-up discussing some health center issue with her.

I think I'm the only one, at this office site, that is pumping (we have easily several thousand people here, we are headquarters). So I'm happy to share the room with another lactating mom, but am I entited to a locked door? Is my company doing something wrong by not having the room available? I don't want to cause a stink, but I feel like I should at least be able to have privacy in a pumping room for the 20 minutes that I am there, twice a day (or at least only be there with another mom pumping). What are my rights? Should I be required to leave the door unlocked for the nurse to access the fridge, if she needs it? The room has enough barriers that I shouldn't need to leave a sign up that I am there (I can only get in if the nurse is there, otherwise the room is inacessible to me).

What are my rights?

Here's a link to the text of the actual law. https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Portals/0/Workplace/HR3590-Sec4207-Nursing-Mothers.pdf

It says the room should be "free from intrusion" so I would take that as having a lock or other protection from people entering.  I would NOT be happy in your situation.  As it is I hate when people knock or come near the door of my office where I pump.  It makes me nervous and I have a lock.  I'm sorry this happened to you.  I would be upset too.

DreamChaser246

JuneBug0611:

I could be wrong, but I don't think we're entitled to any particular dedicated space for pumping (locked or otherwise), but rather we're just entitled to take breaks (unpaid) to pump.  Various states might be more protective, of course...

by dedicated I mean available. We had a few weeks where work was provoding flu shots, and the room that I was allowed to use was inacessible due to them needing it sporadically as people came in for flu shots.

march2008

The room you are given to use does not have to lock, but the law does state that it must be free from intrusion, so you should be able to post a do not disturb or do not enter sign on the door. You may have to bring a copy of this law to your supervisor. I work for the government and even my supervisor and director were unaware of this law until I brought in a copy for their review (I had to bring it up as they were not helpful with providing a space for me to pump privately until I brought it to their attention).

"Employers are required 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 also 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.?  

Here is a link to view the federal law: 

https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs73.pdf

 

Birdies08

That sucks; I'm sorry that happened to you

As PPs have pointed out, you are entitled to privacy where you pump. I would definitely talk to someone about it- maybe just address it like, how can we stop people from not realizing I'm using this room again? Because that's really not ok. 

Kymbirleigh

We've got a dedicated room with a sign stating that is what the room is for. We are able to lock the door, and as backup if people miss the plaque stating that it's the lactation room, and ignore the locked door we have a sign that say Room In Use. All of that being said.... I've still had to yell at one of my coworkers through the door to not enter... Pumping at work is the most frustrating thing.

 

amberpro

It really sucks (for lack of a better word) that happened. I have no advice, but I hope it gets resolved. You really should have some better privacy. Maybe making your supervisor aware and having a sign?

I am a teacher and am able to pump in my locked classroom, but have still been walked in on twice by people with master keys. Very frustrating.  

Telly21182

I was under the impression, from a friend that does insurance underwriting, and ensuring companies follow legal regulations, that by law we are required a room with a lock.  That may be the state of MO though?  Not saying that it has to be a large room by any means, but 4 walls and a locking door.

However, I may have misunderstood him.  I just know what my work is like, and thankfully, when I was pumping I was VERY lucky.  The Lactation Room is literally 20 feet from my desk, is bigger than my bedroom with a leather couch and a leather chair, coffee table and end table, full sink and larger sized mini fridge.  I even was granted my request to have a mirror put up.  I just wanted a cheapy from walmart on the back of the door for double checks as leaving the room but they added a super nice  mirror on the wall from Ballard Designs!  Seriously, the LR at my work is nicer than my living room.  All we needed was a TV! 

DaisyJanie

march2008:

The room you are given to use does not have to lock, but the law does state that it must be free from intrusion, so you should be able to post a do not disturb or do not enter sign on the door. You may have to bring a copy of this law to your supervisor. I work for the government and even my supervisor and director were unaware of this law until I brought in a copy for their review (I had to bring it up as they were not helpful with providing a space for me to pump privately until I brought it to their attention).

"Employers are required 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 also 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.?  

Here is a link to view the federal law: 

https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs73.pdf

 

Yep, that's the information to show your employer. There's a little more info here if you need it: https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Employment/WorkplaceSupport/FAQsBreakTimeforNursingMothers/tabid/188/Default.aspx

This is a pretty new law, so people probably aren't aware of it. My HR dept was kind of like, "huh?" when I brought it up. If the exam room you're using can't be dedicated to you for the 20-30 mins you need, they need to find you something else. 

seattlestef

Ugh I'm sorry. I'm lucky that my building has a private room with a key pad and two pumping stalls with curtains. Could you bring in your nursing cover to at least keep yourself covered if someone does walk in. Or maybe you could request a curtain or some sort of standing curtain be put in the room so you can block off the corner - aagin just to make you feel more comfortable if someone were to try to enter. I would also start putting a sign on the door.