I. Purpose
This policy provides guidelines that will assist working mothers with the transition back to work following the birth of a child by providing a lactation support program that allows a nursing mother to express breast milk periodically during the workday. The policy is in compliance with The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) which was signed into law on March 23, 2010.
II. Scope
The policy applies to all SHRA and EHRA (faculty and non-faculty) permanent employees and to adjunct and temporary employees.
III. Policy Statement
The university will provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child, and will provide a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.
IV. Procedure
1. Employee Responsibilities
In order to facilitate the university’s ability to provide an adequate space, the employee should give her supervisor as much advance notice as possible of her intent to take breaks at work to express breast milk. The employee will be responsible for storage of breast milk.
2. University Responsibilities
The university shall provide space, privacy, and time for nursing mothers to express breast milk periodically during the work day by doing the following:
A. Designated Space: The supervisor will identify a private space that is not in a restroom or other common area. The space should have a door that can be secured or locked, adequate lighting and seating, and electrical outlets for pumping equipment.
Advisory Note: In identifying a designated space for lactation, consideration should be given to the proximity of the space to the employee’s work area. Consideration should also be given to the distance of the space in relation to a source of running water.
B. Time: Departments may require the employee to use regularly scheduled paid break time to express breast milk. If time is needed beyond regularly scheduled paid break times, the university shall make reasonable efforts to allow the employee to use paid leave or unpaid time for this purpose.
V. Questions
If you have questions about the Lactation Support Policy or the implementation of the policy provisions, contact the Director of Employee Relations at 828.251.6605.