Do you get paid to pump at work?

watermellens · June 2013

I'm working this summer 2 days a week and my summer job is hourly (not salary) - I assumed I would be taking breaks and not getting paid to pump at work, but if I was salaried, there would be no difference.

Anyone else hourly and pumping? How is it working for you?

Mrs.RockyM · June 2013

I never actually made it to pumping at work, but I'm a contractor, so those who work as employees are able to just pump, but as a contractor I wasn't able to bill that time. It either meant I had to work extra to make up the time, or I was short at the end of the day.

boogerbearoriginal · June 2013

When I pumped I guess technically yes, however I also have an office and shut the door/pumped at my desk. So I continued to work during that time. So it really wasn't like I was taking extra breaks anymore than having a snack while working.

I am salary, and luckily I have a boss who is understanding and was fine with the arrangement. We also don't have a time clock so lunch breaks, etc are all self-managed. Everyone seems to be mindful of doing their work and not taking advantage of a pretty laid-back system.

financialdiva · June 2013

I am salaried and there is still an expectation of the amount of work I need to do.

I try to cram all that work into 40 hours a week, but sometimes it doesn't work and I have to work more.

I am in the office from 7:30 to 4:30 and pump 3 times a day and eat lunch at my desk. It's not a matter of clocking in and working my hours, it's a matter of getting the work done.

That being said, it is expected that I at least get 40 hours worth of work done each week.

boogerbearoriginal · June 2013

financialdiva:
I am salaried and there is still an expectation of the amount of work I need to do. I try to cram all that work into 40 hours a week, but sometimes it doesn't work and I have to work more. I am in the office from 7:30 to 4:30 and pump 3 times a day and eat lunch at my desk. It's not a matter of clocking in and working my hours, it's a matter of getting the work done. That being said, it is expected that I at least get 40 hours worth of work done each week.

This is a good point - if stuff wasn't getting done there would be a problem regardless of whether it's because of pumping, personal calls, smoke breaks, or just slacking off. We're allowed flexibility but that doesn't mean we can be irresponsible.

atrinh11 · June 2013

I am on salary, so yes, I get paid while I pump. However, breaks are required by law. Like a PP mentioned, a lunch break would likely not be paid (same goes for me) but a couple of 15 min breaks in a day usually are paid and required per labor laws.

No one says a thing about me pumping, but if they did, I would bring up the fact that a woman I work with spends WAY more time taking smoke breaks than I spend pumping. At least I am doing something healthy for myself and my child, not taking work time to destroy my health on comapny time.

ashcody2 · June 2013

I'm hourly and get paid to pump - I'm scheduled 8-5 (get an hr. unpaid lunch) and still pump once while @ work. I pump before work, at lunch, once while @ work and as soon as I get home, plus one time before bed.

Mustardseed2007 · June 2013

https://www.dol.gov/whd/nursingmothers/faqBTNM.htm

Above is the DOL FAQ on pumping.

The federal law on breaks in general, is that you don't have to give them. However, if you DO give them, and they are short (ex less than 30 minutes, which would be for things like lunch) then they are to be paid.

Fed law requires breaks for pumping but they do not have to be paid unless that employer gives short paid breaks to employees for things like coffee breaks or smoke breaks, in which case pumping breaks must be paid.

Some states have more mother friendly laws on pumping than fed law.

Karla CS · June 2013

I'm salaried, but I pump 3 times a day. My midday pump is part of my lunch. I work 40 hours in the office and take work home in the evening/weekend when necessary (but not often). This is one of the reasons I stick around even though I'm not a huge fan of the job.

OhSewCrafty · June 2013

Booger+Bear:
When I pumped I guess technically yes, however I also have an office and shut the door/pumped at my desk. So I continued to work during that time. So it really wasn't like I was taking extra breaks anymore than having a snack while working.
I am salary, and luckily I have a boss who is understanding and was fine with the arrangement. We also don't have a time clock so lunch breaks, etc are all self-managed. Everyone seems to be mindful of doing their work and not taking advantage of a pretty laid-back system.

All of this.

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