What are my rights as a pumping mom? (returning to work)

I'm going back to work at the end of the month and have two questions:

1. I share an office space with 5 other women and have no privacy. Do I have any rights as a pumping mom? Does my employer have to make an effort to find me a private space to pump or am I just stuck using a bathroom stall?

2. Has anyone bought a second pump to keep at work or am I nuts for thinking about doing this? My Medela backpack has ripped from so much commuting on LIRR when I used it last year that I'm contemplating keeping that one at work and buying a new one for home. I hated lugging that thing around on the train and subway every day.

Other info: DD is EBF and my goal is to keep her BF for a year (no formula unless absolutely necessary).

Thanks!

Re: What are my rights as a pumping mom? (returning to work)

I believe that legally, your employer does have to give you private space to pump.

Re: What are my rights as a pumping mom? (returning to work)

I, too, believe your employer has to provide you with a space but am not sure of the legality of it.

I did have 2 pumps (my SIL and friend lent me their pumps b/c they didn't take to nursing after a bit so I lucked out). It was SO much easier leaving one at the office.

Maybe you can buy a second on here? Ck on the swap/buy post - I have seen them advertised on there.

Good luck

Re: What are my rights as a pumping mom? (returning to work)

I'm not sure what the rules are, but I did buy a second pump. I left my medela double pump at work, and bought the swing pump for home because i pumped more often at work.

Re: What are my rights as a pumping mom? (returning to work)

Yes, your employer should make an effort to give you a space to pump. I looked it up on the NYS dept of labor (here's the LINK).

I was lucky and we have an empty office on our floor right now so I go on there to pump which is much better than the bathroom, but I would have done what I had to do had there been no empty office. Good luck!!!

Re: What are my rights as a pumping mom? (returning to work)

I bought a second pump on Craigslist for $20 so I wouldn't have to drag mine back & forth on the LIRR. It was also so annoying having to plug & unplug at home and worrying if I was going to forget any parts!

Re: What are my rights as a pumping mom? (returning to work)

Thank you Jess for the NYS Link. That was incredibly informative. Among other things the state law specifically requires that "The room or location provided by the employer for this purpose cannot be a restroom or
toilet stall." This is good news.

Message edited 11/6/2009 11:23:11 AM.

Re: What are my rights as a pumping mom? (returning to work)

As the others said, yes it is a NYS law they have to provide a space & time for you to pump.

Also look on here or craigslist for a 2nd pump. My 2nd one is a lifesaver; I leave it at work & it avoids having to unplug/clean all the pieces at home in the am after I pump as I have the 2nd one at my school.

I too, pumped for a full year w/ DD & have now made it to 6 months w/ DS; I hope to make it the full year.

Re: What are my rights as a pumping mom? (returning to work)

I work in Human Resources, and yes your employer has to find you a space designated for you to pump. We have that situation now and we designated a conference room for our employee to pump with privacy during the times she needs, the bathroom is icky to do that in, IMO.. hope this helps.

Re: What are my rights as a pumping mom? (returning to work)

Thanks for all the information ladies! It's very helpful!

Last year, I was told to go pump in a bathroom because that's what the other women did, but I borrowed an admin assistant's office whenever she stepped out. I didn't realize that I had rights. That's good to know!

Let's hope my conversation goes well with my supervisor next week and that I don't have to start citing laws and calling HR. I'm going to print out the link Jess posted just in case.

Re: What are my rights as a pumping mom? (returning to work)

I know the lactation consultant at NSUH where I delivered said it is a law that they have to give you an additional 15 min break to allow you to pump(besides your regular lunch and breaks).