Pumpers...what would you do?

2BMrsMcW · April 2012

I was on a conference call that ran 2 minutes over (and thus 2 minutes into my regular pumping time). By the time I got down to the pumping room, I was less than 5 minutes past my time and found the room was locked and marked Occupied. I listened at the door, and sure enough, I could hear a pump running. So it's not like someone was just running late and cleaning up (an issue I often encounter with my afternoon sessions).

There is a VERY clear reservation board in the room and another board with all of the pumping moms' phone numbers so that you can call someone if you need to switch sessions, or whatever. Right now, I am just praying that no one has 10:30 booked (it's usually open) and that I make it back down there without my boobs exploding first. But, if I knew I wouldn't be able to get in there soon, I don't know what I would do!!!

For those of you that share a room, and have a schedule, what would you do if you found someone hijacked your time?

megaloo27 · April 2012

I would knock on the door and let them know you were scheduled, but be polite about it. I try to assume the best in others before jumping to conclusions. Maybe she was running late and was waiting until you got there to stop ?

SoonToBeMsP · April 2012

I might let it go this time, but if it happens again you need to put your foot down.

If it does happen again, I'd let her know this was your time to pump by knocking on the door immediately. That is why there is a schedule. I don't care if I show up during the last 5 minutes of my scheduled time, it's my time and I can use it how I see fit.

Thankfully I've never had this issue.

Thinkerbelle80 · April 2012

Honestly, I'm kind of jealous and awed that your work not only has a special room just for pumping but that there's a schedule and everything. I'm also surprised that there are sooo many people pumping that you have to schedule ahead of time and everything. Your company must be really large. Sorry I don't have an answer to your question.

2BMrsMcW · April 2012

Thinkerbelle80:
Honestly, I'm kind of jealous and awed that your work not only has a special room just for pumping but that there's a schedule and everything. I'm also surprised that there are sooo many people pumping that you have to schedule ahead of time and everything. Your company must be really large. Sorry I don't have an answer to your question.

There were 5 of us, now we are but 3 - so, I have NO idea who thought taking my slot was a good idea! But if you think about it... 5 people pumping 2-3x a day for 30 minutes each, that's between 5 and 8 hours - doesn't take many. My company was actually voted one of the Best Places to Work for Moms (or something like that) in part because of their support of BFing moms.

I was trying to think of what I would even say if I had knocked on the door... "Um, can you put away your boobs because this is my time?" Thought about leaving a friendly not saying, "Mind the dry-erase schedule!"

Brit's Luna154 · April 2012

2BMrsMcW:

Thinkerbelle80:
Honestly, I'm kind of jealous and awed that your work not only has a special room just for pumping but that there's a schedule and everything. I'm also surprised that there are sooo many people pumping that you have to schedule ahead of time and everything. Your company must be really large. Sorry I don't have an answer to your question.

There were 5 of us, now we are but 3 - so, I have NO idea who thought taking my slot was a good idea! But if you think about it... 5 people pumping 2-3x a day for 30 minutes each, that's between 5 and 8 hours - doesn't take many. My company was actually voted one of the Best Places to Work for Moms (or something like that) in part because of their support of BFing moms.

I was trying to think of what I would even say if I had knocked on the door... "Um, can you put away your boobs because this is my time?" Thought about leaving a friendly not saying, "Mind the dry-erase schedule!"

That's cool, mine was too! In my building we have 4 pumping rooms that I know of.

In response to your original question: I would probably have done a "polite knock" and said as sweetly as possible. "Excuse me, I'm scheduled for this room at this time, are you just finishing up?" I bet it would get the other lady out of the room quickly!

eklanger · April 2012

I am not working anymore, but if I was and needed to use the pumping room ( we had one where I used to work and I took calls so I wouldn't have had the option to wait/come back) I would have knocked and just asked if it was ok for me to just come in a pump. My modesty must have gone out the window--I seriously wouldn't care, the other mom is doing exactly what you are....

raefre · April 2012

2BMrsMcW:
I was trying to think of what I would even say if I had knocked on the door... "Um, can you put away your boobs because this is my time?" Thought about leaving a friendly not saying, "Mind the dry-erase schedule!"

Don't leave a note. TBH, I've had people deal with conflict with me through use of notes and it really came across as passive aggressive and seemed to solve nothing.

As a pp said, leave it alone for today, but if it happens again, just knock on the door and act surprised that someone is in there, then let them know that it is 9am (or whatever) and that you thought it was your turn. Yes, it is just as passive aggressive as the note, but it also allows the person to respond with an "Oh, I'm sorry. I won't let it happen again" sort of statement whereas the note just allows resentment to build.

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