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May 2016 Moms
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Back to work & pumping

Lusitano8Lusitano8 member
in May 2016 Moms
Since I have 8 weeks till my due date I'm trying to get all my work logistics figured out. Does anyone have advice advocating for telecommuting at their work? I've brought it up my boss before but he's not very supportive of it. It's something I would have to strongly advocate for. After researching more about pumping at work I'm worried it's more difficult than I imagined and it could help me make a case to telecommute. Does anyone have insight or ideas to make a case for myself? Our building is very old and we do not have break-rooms with a kitchen sink, people clean coffee mugs in the bathroom, I don't want to clean my pump in the bathroom! We also don't have laptops so I would be wasting up to an hour a day at work pumping, where at home I could be in-front of my computer and pump. I'm hoping to advocate for 1-2 days a week to help make the transition easier. All my tasks can be completed remotely and I would still make myself available for meetings.  Other departments are starting to do trial telecommuting but mine is lagging behind. I have telecommuted before and know how to manage my time. I would have LO with an in-home nanny or near by where I could go feed him at least once a day. 

Any ideas appreciated! 
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Re: Back to work & pumping

  • proudparent2bproudparent2b member
    FTM so no experience with BF, but do you think it might be possible to start by requesting to split your day to half days in office/half days remote?

    I do work fully remote and the biggest concern I've had from managers who have not had remote employees before is the lack of face time. If you can address that concern and show that you're still meeting your potential, it might work out.
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  • slfezzslfezz member
    The only idea I have on convincing your boss about telecommuting is to try to build a formal business case on why it's better for the company if you work at home. Tie it back to the bottom line and not your convience. 

    If you can't work out telecommuting, medela makes wipes specifically for quick cleans of pump parts and bottles that don't require rinsing. That would at least solve your sink issue. You can also just throw your pump parts in a bag and just keep them refrigerated between sessions without having to clean. Also, in the US, it's federal law that every business with more than 50 employees have a secure place to pump that's not a bathroom and allow breaks for it. Check into you state/local laws as well for what you are entitled too. 
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  • wildtotwildtot member
    Lurking from April16
    Medela also has microwave cleaning bags (just add water). I will be using a combination of the quick wipes, microwave bags, and the refrigerator to pump at work. Maybe check with HR directly instead of your boss.
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  • Jparke2Jparke2 member
    I wish I had advice. I'm in the same boat; I work for a very small, family-owned business (my family, actually) and the part where I work is just one large room with a bunch of desks. There is NO place for me to pump. There is a very small, very gross bathroom that is probably the only option, except 1) Yuck and 2) It doesn't even have an outlet to plug in the pump. There is also a very cramped walk-in closet where they keep the postage machine and some other odds and ends (keys, tools, equipment parts, etc.), but I'm not even quite sure I'd be able to fit a chair in there. And if I can fit a chair, what if somebody needs one of the things in the closet ASAP? I have no idea what I'm going to do. I keep meaning to discuss this with my father, but on top of me requesting paid maternity leave that he isn't required to give me, I am feel awkward bringing up the whole milking myself at work thing to my Dad. There is no option for me to work from home, for my job it would be impossible. Anyway, just saying I feel your pain and I'm curious to what your solution will be!
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  • sillyfoxsillyfox member
    edited March 2016
    With my first, I had them install a lock on my office door. I threw my pump parts in my cooler in the fridge during the day and after my last pump of the day I would wash them in soap and water in the bathroom (mostly bc I felt awkward washing them in the open, busy kitchen) then I used the Medala sterilizing bags with water in the microwave. 

    All of that should work fine at my new job, but I have a giant floor to ceiling window next to my door... So I'm going to see if my boss will put in a shade or something since there really isn't anywhere else to go. 



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  • araecaseyaraecasey member
    slfezz said:
    The only idea I have on convincing your boss about telecommuting is to try to build a formal business case on why it's better for the company if you work at home. Tie it back to the bottom line and not your convience. 

    If you can't work out telecommuting, medela makes wipes specifically for quick cleans of pump parts and bottles that don't require rinsing. That would at least solve your sink issue. You can also just throw your pump parts in a bag and just keep them refrigerated between sessions without having to clean. Also, in the US, it's federal law that every business with more than 50 employees have a secure place to pump that's not a bathroom and allow breaks for it. Check into you state/local laws as well for what you are entitled too. 
    Yes and yes! This is what I would recommend as well. If your cooler is large enough to fit your pump parts, I'd just toss them in a ziplock and stash them with your expressed milk and ice packs. Also, do you know about Freemie collection cups? I'm not sure how private your desk is, but perhaps you might feel more comfortable pumping at your desk using Freemies since you can't see the flanges and milk collection.

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  • Lusitano8Lusitano8 member
    slfezz said:
    The only idea I have on convincing your boss about telecommuting is to try to build a formal business case on why it's better for the company if you work at home. Tie it back to the bottom line and not your convience. 

    If you can't work out telecommuting, medela makes wipes specifically for quick cleans of pump parts and bottles that don't require rinsing. That would at least solve your sink issue. You can also just throw your pump parts in a bag and just keep them refrigerated between sessions without having to clean. Also, in the US, it's federal law that every business with more than 50 employees have a secure place to pump that's not a bathroom and allow breaks for it. Check into you state/local laws as well for what you are entitled too. 
    Thanks @slfezz this is good to keep in mind! So far my justification is that I'll be able to contribute towards our trip reduction program (carpooling etc.), and help be a "tester" for telecommuting as the company prepares for the future. I don't know how else  to show that it's a benefit. 
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  • businessmamabusinessmama member
    @Lusitano8 I recently had a thread where several people commented on how to talk to your boss about flex... I would link it, but I don't have time to search. Head over there for some more advice - I put together something, and my boss was willing to compromise!
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