Pumping At work...with tact

Re: Pumping At work...with tact

• emmy236 member

  October 2015

  I had this with my first child. I work in a predominantly male department but luckily my company is very accommodating. First thing is block off the time on your outlook calendar as a meeting. At least with our system, in outlook and communicator, it will show you as unavailble and they may not even bother to come over (although I'm in a tech PM and half of my coworkers avoid human interaction anyway). If someone does stop by, politely tell them you have something scheduled. If they ask what just tell them flat out. There isn't any shame or reason for embarrassment in what you're doing. Non parents can be oblivious and fellow parents understand and likely offer you help work wise.
  
  
  
  
  

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• tarheelgirl8 member

  October 2015

  Thanks @emmy236! I really like saying "I have something scheduled". That's perfect.
  
  I do have time blocked off on my calendar so I won't have people schedule conflicting meetings. But folks in our suite are much more likely to just pop in if they have a quick question rather than checking my calendar first.

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• emmy236 member

  October 2015

  Then I'd honestly flat out say you're using the nursing mothers room. Most of my coworkers are in different states and countries so I don't have the popping in problem as much. However, I was upfront about my schedule for pumping just so my boss knew where I was. Our room had a schedule so you had to stick to your time. Also, don't let them tell you to use your lunch/break time for it! Some jerk from another team was upset that I couldn't make a meeting because of it and asked why I couldn't do it during lunch and nicely forwarded him the company policy on it. Hopefully your coworkers will be more pleasant.

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• marieva member

  October 2015

  Like PP said, I too just tell them I'm about to go to the mother's room. By telling them this they know exactly where I am in case of emergency and in case of non emergency they leave me alone and wait for me to be done. I used to try to dance around it but I was like to hell with that! I too work in a male dominated environment so it was awkward at first but nothing new to me now.

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