Pumping at Work...

futuremrscohick · September 2010

So, my workplace is extremely male dominated - as most emergency services fields are.

I was thrilled to find out that under the new healthcare bill signed back in March, employers have to find a clean & sanitary place that is private for nursing mothers to pump; and they have to allow adequate time to do so, though they don't have to pay you for the time you spend pumping.

I brought this up to my Director, who quickly referred it to downtown's HR department. I think because he is very uncomfortable and has no clue what to do. My Manager is really helpful and he wants to do what he can to find a place, but our building is short on free space. The men and women each have a locker room/bunk room. I told him the only way I'd consider pumping in the bunk room (which gets used only if there is an emergency activation where we have to stay at work 24-hours - I work in emergency management) is if the cleaning people cleaned it on a daily basis. Right now I think the last time it was cleaned was 10 years ago when the building was built. He said he'll have a company come in and do a heavy duty "spring cleaning," repaint the walls, and then our cleaning people can clean every day. He also said they'll put a lock on the door and get a table and chair in there so it's easier for me to pump.

Anyone else broach this topic with their place of employment? How are they handling it?

CindiLu1 · September 2010

I pumped at work with my first baby and I was so lucky to have a dedicated room with a sink and a fridge. It's not 100% necessary to have a sink and fridge (ice packs work ok for pump parts and milk during the day) but you might want to see if they can provide either.

pawcall · September 2010

My company provides an office for this. I think I'm going to have to get a mini fridge since I'm not even slightly interested in keeping my breastmilk in the communal fridge.

Ceefome · September 2010

That's great that they are being proactive for you! And good that you are planning ahead.

I wound up never going back to work, but I asked before I went out on maternity leave, and I was told I could use the ERT/nurse's room with a sign on the door and behind the privacy screen. If there was an emergency, people would come in, but at least there was a private place that wasn't a bathroom. I was also told I had to use the refrigerator in the nurse's office to store the pumped milk (if I was going to store it in a 'fridge and not my own cooler) because BM is a body fluid and couldn't be stored in the general food fridges.

CAB'smommy · September 2010

At the first hospital I worked at, I didn't have adequate time to pump. And when I tried, I had to bring my pump on the floor I was working on and pump in the bathroom. Ewww!!! This time I'm very excited because there is a lactation room in the new hospital I'm working at. They are letting us (there are 3 in my dept. alone bfing at the same time) use this room, plus the pump and supplies when ever we want. We just have to let them know when we're going to use it. I'm so psyched! I don't even have to bring a pump. Just a cooler. The other 2 girls and I have said we might get our own tubing and such, but just keep it in our locker. Not only that, but our boss has said that she will let us pump when ever we need to. The only reason I stopped bfing DS is because I didn't get to pump at work and dried up 2 weeks after returning. I'm so excited to be given the chance to bf for a long time. Wish/hope everyone else's work is this accommodating!

beetlebug00@comcast.net · September 2010

luckily i have my own office, so i can pump there. i'll just have to lock the door b/c people in my office like to barge in whenever they feel like it. usually not a big deal, but definitely won't be tolerated if i'm pumping! (i don't think they'd want to see that, either!)

that's great they're going to make a room for you at work!

wmramsel · September 2010

I don't have an office, but I did talk to the library staff (the female portion) about it. They are giving me a study room that has a lock on it and allowing me to cover the window. Thank goodness I asked- I know the mom who was pumping last year did it in the bathroom- eeww! And trust me, the bathrooms here are NASTY.

pawcall · September 2010

CAB'smommy:
At the first hospital I worked at, I didn't have adequate time to pump. And when I tried, I had to bring my pump on the floor I was working on and pump in the bathroom. Ewww!!! This time I'm very excited because there is a lactation room in the new hospital I'm working at. They are letting us (there are 3 in my dept. alone bfing at the same time) use this room, plus the pump and supplies when ever we want. We just have to let them know when we're going to use it. I'm so psyched! I don't even have to bring a pump. Just a cooler. The other 2 girls and I have said we might get our own tubing and such, but just keep it in our locker. Not only that, but our boss has said that she will let us pump when ever we need to. The only reason I stopped bfing DS is because I didn't get to pump at work and dried up 2 weeks after returning. I'm so excited to be given the chance to bf for a long time. Wish/hope everyone else's work is this accommodating!

Please do this. I can't imagine that it's prohibitively expensive.

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