Job says I'll have to pump in the bathroom!!

sarahnikai · May 2015

So I work in the behavioral health department in a prison. There really are very few places I could go where there aren't windows or cameras, but I really don't like the idea of having to breast pump in the bathroom. I know I wouldn't want my food to be hanging out in the bathroom!! I don't know what to do though! Anyone have thoughts or suggestions???

(Edited for spelling)

KCwalza146 · May 2015

I'm not positive but I thought it was illegal for them to make you pump in the bathroom- I thought employers had to provide an area BESIDES the bathroom for pumping. Atleast in NYS it is that way?

etayislove · May 2015

What state do you live in???! This is illegal in most states, but there are a few that are still backwards and have no laws protecting breastfeeding mothers. Usually, they have to provide you with a separate room (not a bathroom) that has a locking door and functioning electrical outlet. Sometimes, it depends on a number of employees or whatnot, contact your local La Leche League they can probably give you a run down of the law.

mbrower08 · May 2015

I believe I have heard that also. They have to provide you time and an area to pump (that is not a bathroom). I am also in NYS.

Yiggle09 · May 2015

Can you speak to HR about that? I do believe it is illegal most places and youll need a outlet, table, chair and then sink to wash your pumping supplies and refrigerator for the milk

WDDCH · May 2015

Is there a break room? Maybe they can set up a partition in a corner for privacy. You also need to have a fridge.

WDDCH · May 2015

Wanted to add: THEY are supposed to provide it. If they tell you to supply your own space (like buying a partition yourself) I believe that's not legal. I'm not brushed up on all of that so I could be wrong. But the bathroom is NO-NO for sure. Yuck!

seg6394 · May 2015

Unfortunately I have no advice or any idea about these circumstances, but just wanted to say @sarahnikai you are one badass momma!! I can only imagine how challenging that Job must be! =D>

kjjellybean · May 2015

At my work(dr office) I can use a patient room or a doctors office to pump. I do not like being in the office while pumping. It stresses me out knowing that I have work to do and patients need me. I actually go out to my truck, turn on music relax and pump. I have a blanket that I use that hangs from my mirror and blocks any onlookers. With DD it was summer. Not sure I'll enjoy this in the winter. In WA it's illegal for them to not provide a pump area.

off2thefunnyfarm · May 2015

Bathroom is illegal.

https://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/pdfs/guidelinesexpressionofbreastmilkfinal.pdf

masterofallcheese · May 2015

kjjellybean said:
At my work(dr office) I can use a patient room or a doctors office to pump. I do not like being in the office while pumping. It stresses me out knowing that I have work to do and patients need me. I actually go out to my truck, turn on music relax and pump. I have a blanket that I use that hangs from my mirror and blocks any onlookers. With DD it was summer. Not sure I'll enjoy this in the winter. In WA it's illegal for them to not provide a pump area.

So good to know that pumping in the car is feasible, as that is what I am planning on doing. @kjjellybean Can you tell me what you do for cleaning up? Just use kitchen sink when you get back inside?

Growingapepper · May 2015

Like everyone else said, it's illegal for them to make you pump in the bathroom. They have to provide you with a private area that is not a bathroom. I don't think they have to provide refrigeration though. I think it's your responsibility to bring a cooler and ice packs or whatever.

J0C0TX · May 2015

For some reason I thought your company had to be a certain size before it offered a specific area for pumping.

The old place I worked was a huge corporation but the office I worked in had NOWHERE to pump, so I used the Office Manager's office or any office that was windowless and empty. It was not the most conducive to pumping.

Here, there are 2 wellness rooms, with fridge that I can use and it's a much smaller company but it's much more employee focused

barrelocarol · May 2015

Wow. I don't have any info to offer but go @sarahnikai !! \m/

etayislove · May 2015

There is no requirement for refrigeration, you really don't need it anyway, as long as you have a insulated cooler and ice pack breastmilk will keep well for a regular 8-12 hour shift.

LoveLee85 · May 2015

Ew! Hell to the no! I'm glad this is illegal in most places because nobody should have to do that! I'm sorry! They need to figure out other arrangements for you because that is so unsanitary! Keep us posted on any updates!!!!

LaurenNewph · May 2015

KCwalza146 said:
I'm not positive but I thought it was illegal for them to make you pump in the bathroom- I thought employers had to provide an area BESIDES the bathroom for pumping. Atleast in NYS it is that way?

I was sure this was the case too! If I had to go back to work the only place for me to pump would probably be the nurses office (I'm a teacher) if I didn't want to pump in a stall in the bathroom!

kjjellybean · May 2015

@masterofallcheese I take my bag back in to work and wash with a bottle brush and soap. I am actually looking into the steamer bags they make now. You can use them up to 20 times before you need a new one. When I get home I dishwasher my stuff.

bpv101283 · May 2015

Yes, as others said, not legal. Fecal matter and bacteria fly around the bathroom every time a toilet flushes or a dryer is used. Even clean bathrooms. It is not the place for pumping. I hope you get answers. We used an empty office at my job, now I have my own office.

meggipi5 · May 2015

You are supposed to legally have a CLEAN, private place to pump.

For cleaning and storage--keep your pump parts in a ziplock bag and throw both those and your milk in a cooler bag or the fridge. When you get home, wash the parts. I used the disposable steamer bags from Medela that you can use 10x each to steam my parts at least once a week.

sarahnikai · May 2015

I live in Kansas and I don't know what the laws are here for breast pumping, but I know they employ well over 50 people! Its a HUGE prison! I guess I will try to research it some more and if it is illegal I can bring it to their attention. Another issue is that I can't bring the pump into where prisoners are so that only leaves the administrative area.

Rachelsbaby · May 2015

WTH!!!! Why would they even suggest that! Public bathrooms are so unsanitary. They need to be a little bit more accommodating to you and maybe let you do it in a private office. I would definitely talk to human resource about that.

jbettles · May 2015

@sarahnikai I'd love to hear what you find out!! I also live in Kansas. I'm a teacher. My first baby, I was a classroom teacher and locked my door while the kids were at lunch then again at music and pe to pump. Extremely annoying because the janitor would start to unlock the door to clean the room without knocking EVERY DAY, even after I told him not to and why, and I finally had to talk to the principal about it... Next year I will be the title reading teacher. I have a small, private classroom with a lockable door and also a store room in my classroom with a lockable door should I need that. But I'd love to know my legal rights

eah325 · May 2015

Kansas does not have workplace breastfeeding laws so much of what people are describing above does not apply to you unfortunately.

But it appears like the federal the Affordable Care Act may provide similar protections to those described above so you may be in luck. Score one for Obamacare!

cmherfi827 · May 2015

Yeah some of the jerks I work with (who are women by the way) suggested that I pump in the bathroom. Yeah, I don't think so! Gross! I found this on the National Conference of State Legislatures website:

Federal Health Reform and Nursing Mothers

President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on March 30,
2010. (See the combined full text of Public Laws 111-148 and 111-152 here.) Among many provisions, Section 4207 of the law amends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 (29 U.S. Code 207)
to require an employer to provide reasonable break time for an employee
to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the
child's birth each time such employee has need to express milk. The
employer is not required to compensate an employee receiving reasonable
break time for any work time spent for such purpose. The employer must
also provide a place, other than a bathroom, for the employee to express
breast milk. If these requirements impose undue hardship, an employer
that employs fewer than 50 employees is not subject to these
requirements. The federal requirements shall not preempt a state law
that provides greater protections to employees.

kpruiett · May 2015

Contact your HR Dept. By that law they are required to have a policy about a designated room and they are supposed to work your breaks around and give you an extended break to pump.

giftbc · May 2015

I work inpatient mental health we also have lots of cameras but not as much as a prison I'm assuming. My last baby I pumped in our ECT room because it locks all the doors lock typically in mental health there was an outlet and no cameras because most patients would already be put under while in the ECT room we had one for recovery and one for the procedure. Not sure if that's an option?

Boobopgirl · May 2015

I had to pump often for Katie and I pumped in the car often. It's actually pretty comfortable if your job will not be accommodating with a better place to pump. You will need a car adapter for your pump, but it will work. Also, I just wore a regular nursing cover over the pump. One where I could peek down and check periodically to make sure my bottles weren't getting too full and everything was working properly. If you feel too exposed sitting in the car, a sunshade in the front and towels at the side windows may help things feel more private.