WWYD no place to pump at work

avanvorce · November 2012

Ok so I will try and keep this as short as possible. I BF and am back to work so am pumping at work. I work in a cubicle so my boss said I can use our conference room to pump in twice a day so I have a privet place to pump. Note this was an EXTREMELY awkward conversation as my company is male dominated and my boss is a man that doesn't have kids and doesn't want them, so as you can see it would be very awkward approaching him about something like this but I did. So no big deal until a few times the past couple of days the conference room has been in use for various things. It is a small company and there are no spare offices. So basically my only options are 1. Not to pump (I will not accept this option) 2. Ask someone, preferably a woman, if I can take over their office for a half hour stopping them from working or 3. Take my desk chair into the bathroom and pump. I do not like the idea of pumping in the bathroom for about a million reasons (sanitation and lack of privacy since it's a multi stall restroom top my list) but I feel really bad asking someone to take over their office twice a day. What should I do? Should I tell my boss that he has to keep the conference room free for me or just suck it up and pump where ever I can? I suppose I could go out to my car but it's getting too cold for that. It's just suck a difficult conversation to have with my boss because I think that they forget that I need to use the room and I'm a wimp and hate approaching my boss about stuff like this. Advice from you ladies is much appreciated!!!

watercolor5 · November 2012

I'd either approach my boss about getting a schedule for the conference room or giving you a pumping schedule to use the conference room, or I'd resign myself to pumping in the car. Sorry the situation is so tough.

tinyhumantoe · November 2012

My advice is going to suck because I have a slinky for a backbone, so I hope someone else has better advice.

On days when the conference room is free, I would use it. On days when it isn't, I'd get in my car, drive to a discreet parking spot, and use a breastfeeding cover. I realize that may not be possible for you to do. I'm just so awkward with talking to people, and the pumping thing really embarrasses me (I do NOT think it's something women should be embarrassed about, it's just the way I am I guess).

So there's my suckass advice.

MrsAB1316 · November 2012

Can you see if you can put a curtain up on the entrance to your cubicle? (provided it's high enough that people can't just peek over.) Yes, the sound of the pump going can be awkward, but I'm sure that feeling will eventually go away.

mrsbhk22 · November 2012

tinyhumantoe:

My advice is going to suck because I have a slinky for a backbone, so I hope someone else has better advice.

On days when the conference room is free, I would use it. On days when it isn't, I'd get in my car, drive to a discreet parking spot, and use a breastfeeding cover. I realize that may not be possible for you to do. I'm just so awkward with talking to people, and the pumping thing really embarrasses me (I do NOT think it's something women should be embarrassed about, it's just the way I am I guess).

So there's my suckass advice.

Agree. I'd never ask for someones office for 60 minutes a day.

mystrana · November 2012

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. I know it's a tough conversation but try to have it. Presumably your boss can empathize even if he doesn't want kids. Good luck

Hyaline · November 2012

Our conference rooms where I used to work had to be reserved--if this is the case for you, maybe you can approach your boss about blocking it for your pumping needs for a half an hour a couple times a day. I can see it being less of a nuisance, actually, to have it obviously blocked than for people to not know when you need it (or inevitably wander in there on accident...) (And if the room doesn't need to be booked but your boss likes the idea, maybe you can set up the system for doing so and earn brownie points )

If that's not feasible, maybe someone goes out to lunch regularly or takes regular smoking breaks and would be willing for you to use their office when they're already out? I know I would feel awkward asking this of anyone but a close work friend if it wasn't already convenient (ie, they weren't going to be there anyway).

MrsL0908 · November 2012

Do you have a server room? I pumped in one last time. Fortunately my company moved and I can now pump in a private shower room.

Nicolejb781 · November 2012

MrsAB1316:
Can you see if you can put a curtain up on the entrance to your cubicle?nbsp; provided it's high enough that people can't just peek over.nbsp;nbsp; Yes, the sound of the pump going can be awkward, but I'm sure that feeling will eventually go away.nbsp;nbsp;

This is what my boss does and she just pumps at her desk, everyone knows she's pumping but no one cares. Our company is primarily men and they've gotten used to it.

BakerMommy · November 2012

Have you looked at the laws in your state? I'm not sure if your cubicle meets the privacy requirements, so you may have a good case for dibs on the conference room.

https://m.ncsl.org/issuesresearch/health/breastfeedingstatelaws.aspx

Jennifer Ruth · November 2012

If you don't want to pump in a multistall restroom, I'm guessing the curtain/cubicle thing is out...

Personally, I'd pump in the bathroom. Id get a cordless pump and go to town...but I've done this many times while traveling in airports, etc. If you carry a cordless pump and a towel in your pump bag, you can technically take care of business without anything touching your milk/pump equipment.

Otherwise, I'd try to block the conference room. Can you block it in 15 minute increments? 30 minutes seems like a lot to me.

Or ask your HR person for advice (if you have one).

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WWYD no place to pump at work

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