Pumping at new job?

jf198400

As I've mentioned I have accepted a new job and start in 2 weeks.  I have already received and signed the official offer letter.  I am planning on pumping once a day during my lunch break at the new job.  I'd like to contact HR before I start to make sure they have a place for me to pump so there's no difficulties my first day.  Any advice on how to word the email??  Of course it would have to be a male HR person...

ChicagoWeded2007

Here is the exact e-mail I wrote.  I guess I wasn't too concerned...

"Can you tell me about the facilities you have for pumping moms? Will my office be private or is there a privacy room for pumping?  I noticed that some of the offices have windows to the hallway.  Thanks for the info! "

 

Personally, I don't think this should be a huge deal and I try not to treat it as something embarrassing or unprofessional. With the hope that other people will do the same. It's just life, like needing another shelf in your office or time to go to a doctor appointment.

mexicolombiana

ChicagoWeded2007:

Here is the exact e-mail I wrote.  I guess I wasn't too concerned...

"Can you tell me about the facilities you have for pumping moms? Will my office be private or is there a privacy room for pumping?  I noticed that some of the offices have windows to the hallway.  Thanks for the info! "

 

Personally, I don't think this should be a huge deal and I try not to treat it as something embarrassing or unprofessional. With the hope that other people will do the same. It's just life, like needing another shelf in your office or time to go to a doctor appointment.

Good attitude, that's how I feel.  It's no big deal and never has been in my office.   

GreenMonkey1

I personally would add the word nursing or breast to your email just to clarify what you are pumping.  Both of my bosses are male, my direct supervisor has no children - I don't think he would know what I was talking about if I went to talk to him about needing time to pump.

The conversations I had with my bosses about pumping were very matter of fact.  It can be awkward because you are indirectly talking about your breasts, but I've found it not to be a big deal if I just open the conversation as a normal request.

ChicagoWeded2007

lasposa425:

GreenMonkey1:

I personally would add the word nursing or breast to your email just to clarify what you are pumping.  Both of my bosses are male, my direct supervisor has no children - I don't think he would know what I was talking about if I went to talk to him about needing time to pump.

The conversations I had with my bosses about pumping were very matter of fact.  It can be awkward because you are indirectly talking about your breasts, but I've found it not to be a big deal if I just open the conversation as a normal request.

 

This.  I would say that you are a nursing mom as opposed to a "pumping mom"   -- they might think you need a work out room to pump some iron! haha but seriously men can be clueless sometimes...

 

hah, you're probably right.  I told a male supervisor I had to go to the mother's room and he's like, "what's that?"  I was like, well I have to pump breast milk. You know, to feed my baby....

I'm sure I blushed at that one.