How to bring up pumping in an interview

Sundown2014

I'm interviewing for a job on Friday and I don't know how to tell them that I'm breast feeding and will need to pump at work.  I'm not ashamed that I breast feed, but I'm embarrassed to tell a man that I need time during the day to pump.  Any advice?

E35

What kind of job is it?   Do you think you'd have a hard time taking a break or finding a place to do it?  I don't know your situation, but I don't think I'd bring it up at all.  

financialdiva

Would you need to pump duing the interview process? If not, do not bring it up in the interview. You wouldn't discuss this until an offer is made, maybe even wait until after you start.  

GL with your interview.  

 

JLS0320

Don't bring it up until they offer you the position, then discuss it 

purtz

As an HR professional, I would recommend not to bring this up in the interview stage.  Pumping should not prevent you from completing the required functions of the job- so it's irrelevant.  

If they offer you a position, confirm the hours required and if you will have breaks (if you are a non-exempt hourly worker) or a flexible schedule (if you are an exempt, salaried worker). 

 Some states have requirements to provide workomg mothers a private place to pump; many employers offer this regardless - inquire with your HR department after you get the job.  Good luck! 

shaindelr

I agree about not bringing it up unless an offer is made... When I interviewed here, they even drove me around to show me where the schools are, but I was told by female mentors not to mention if I had kids, marital status, anything personal, so I just did the whole "That's nice" and smile politely thing. But then, academia's weird. I waited until I had tenure to have a baby (four years of probationary employment) so that I wouldn't get axed, so I can't imagine mentioning one in an interview.

Comet4658

I definitely would not mention this until you get an offer or start.  It won't affect your work at all.  Now if you need time to pump during an all day interview I might ask for an itinerary or ask if there are any breaks.  I wouldn't mention pumping, but might see if there is 15 min break you could squeeze in. 

shannm

financialdiva:

Would you need to pump duing the interview process? If not, do not bring it up in the interview. You wouldn't discuss this until an offer is made, maybe even wait until after you start.  

GL with your interview.  

 

Agreed.  

Now what I worry about is when someone has an interview that is a full day and trying to squeeze pumping in then...... 

Sundown2014

Thank you everyone!  I guess I feel guilty not telling them that, but that shouldn't be taken into consideration for them hiring me.  I won't say anything until I'm offered a position.  

 

Thanks for all of the well wishes  

honkytonk_kid

Don't mention it until you have an offer. I showed up for my first day of training and just asked, "Where can I pump?" No one batted an eye, they jut found me an empty office, then a key to the pumping room.

Don't feel guilty. Honestly, it's better this way all around. You don't want to worry if it will effect your hiring, and the hiring people don't want to worry about you thinking they are discriminating if they decide not to hire you. It's just an unnecessary complication. 

MrsSR

I wouldn't bring it up unless I got the job.

SushiNoMore

shannm:

financialdiva:

Would you need to pump duing the interview process? If not, do not bring it up in the interview. You wouldn't discuss this until an offer is made, maybe even wait until after you start.  

GL with your interview.  

 

Agreed.  

Now what I worry about is when someone has an interview that is a full day and trying to squeeze pumping in then...... 

I did this just recently, actually.  I had an all day interview, and I said, "I'm a nursing mom, so I'll need a couple breaks during the day."  They were SUPER accommodating.  They got me all set up with the pumping room and everything. It was completely no big deal.  I ended up getting the offer, and I took the job.  I think the fact that they were so helpful gave me a bit of insight into what the company is like.  At least, I hope so.  I start in a couple weeks.  :-)

My pump broke that day, though, so I had to use a manual pump.  It shows how important it is to have a back up pump, but that's a topic for another thread. 

Mags748

honkytonk_kid:

Don't mention it until you have an offer. I showed up for my first day of training and just asked, "Where can I pump?" No one batted an eye, they jut found me an empty office, then a key to the pumping room.

Don't feel guilty. Honestly, it's better this way all around. You don't want to worry if it will effect your hiring, and the hiring people don't want to worry about you thinking they are discriminating if they decide not to hire you. It's just an unnecessary complication. 

That is exactly what I did. First thing in the morning on my first day I said I am breastfeeding and would like to pump at least twice a day so I asked where I could do it.

Others are right that you shouldn't feel guilty about not telling. Its a temporary thing that may not even take away any of your work time depending on if you do it at lunch and breaks. No reason to have that potentially play any part in whether they hire you or not.

Aloe0l

JLS0320:

Don't bring it up until they offer you the position, then discuss it 

This - 100%.  It isn't an issue until they offer you the job.

ak1234

Mags748:

honkytonk_kid:

Don't mention it until you have an offer. I showed up for my first day of training and just asked, "Where can I pump?" No one batted an eye, they jut found me an empty office, then a key to the pumping room.

Don't feel guilty. Honestly, it's better this way all around. You don't want to worry if it will effect your hiring, and the hiring people don't want to worry about you thinking they are discriminating if they decide not to hire you. It's just an unnecessary complication. 

That is exactly what I did. First thing in the morning on my first day I said I am breastfeeding and would like to pump at least twice a day so I asked where I could do it.

Others are right that you shouldn't feel guilty about not telling. Its a temporary thing that may not even take away any of your work time depending on if you do it at lunch and breaks. No reason to have that potentially play any part in whether they hire you or not.

This!  Unless you work somewhere where you think space would be a problem, there is no way I would say anything before I showed up on the first day.  Even then, I would probably make sure I had what I needed to pump in the car for a worst-case scenario.

We have so many nursing mothers at my job that no one even bats an eye at this point.

oooCarrieB

I didn't mention it at all during the interview. Once I was officially hired, I e-mailed the manager and explained that I needed a spot to private place to pump twice a day. There were no problems with it.