Crowded Privacy Room

Is it really that big of a deal to share a privacy room with other pumping moms? I am not shy when it comes to bfeeding, so I know I would not have a problem with pumping with other moms, but I suppose some people might. But they are moms, doing the same thing as you, so is it a big deal? Of course you dont want anyone else in there, nor do you want a shower stall! Good luck and good for you and your baby!
S.

Under Minnesota Law an employer is required to provide space other than a bathroom stall. While the law says the employer can not be held accountable if they have made every reasonable effort to provide a decent space, the law doesn't specifically state the employer needs to provide multiple/ample private space for many employees.

Nonetheless, to be considered providing space "within reason" I would think that as more employees are needing a place to be, they would need to help accomodate this.

Here is a link to the legal language of Minnesota's Breastfeeding law.

http://www.ndaap.org/breastfeedingminnesotaLaw.htm

I'd contact both an attorney and your human resources department and see what can be done to improve the situation.

I use to work for a very large family friendly company so they were able to provide more for their employees . Of course, the facilities were the best at the corporate headquarters but even when I worked out in the smaller field offices and they couldnt' provide "exclusive" privacy rooms, they made special arrangements in whatever buildings the offices were located at, that the nursing moms were always allowed to use the conference rooms. The doors were able to be locked, blinds were installed which could be closed and a sign simply saying "in use" were created which could be placed at the doors. In addition, the managers in each department also turned over their offices to the nursing moms. (I suspect that part had to do with peer pressure. After all, who wanted to be the lone manager who didn't want to do this.) I believe a package of disinfectant wipes were also provided so the mom could wipe off tables, desks, etc prior to nursing, if they chose to do so.

So I agree with the other moms, please see if you can speak to someone and explain that there's always a "creative" solution to problems. Good luck!

I don't know the rules, but you have every right to request more space!!! If they knew you have to resort to the shower stall, I can't imagine people would ignore your request. Clearly, this is something that is needed for your company. Good luck!

L.

Where I work, we are able to reserve a private room for pumping. Is it possible that there could be a sign up sheet or to have a calendar were people can reserve the room for the same time each day? Have you asked HR or your manager about reserving the room so that people who need it get to use it? I think running that past HR and management would be a good idea and to have the support of fellow co-workers who also need the room for the same purpose. HR/Mgmt might not even know this is an issue.

I was in a similar situation. Got no response from the employer (1,800+ employees - so by no means, small) when I came back after having my 1st child and nursing kinda tanked as a result. I went to HR when I was pregnant with my second and was told they just have to make a room available and they recommended I reserve a conference room or use an office of someone who was out for the day. So, not a super-accommodating plan.

To respond by saying "you have a right" to more/better space, is misleading. You may want such a thing, but technically, the law does not come out an say how much space or what the quality of that space should be. For example, employers are not required to provide a space that has a door that locks, or a room with an electrical outlet, or a room with a refridgerator, or a room with a sink, or even a room solely dedicated to pumping moms.

But really, you should absolutely ask or better yet, come to HR with solutions and numbers (i.e. the number of pumping moms soon to flood the workplace).

Ya know what ended up happening after my second? I had reserved a conf room, as usual, and posted an "In-Use" sign on the door. But a member of the HR DEPARTMENT! busted right in on me. Awful. I went so far as to lodge a complaint and THAT went no where. Nothing changed.

I don't know the rules however I have several friends who have met with the same problem in returning to work and pumping. They all resolved the problem with finding an office within the building that was not currently in use....and it became the pumping room. They too had the positive of nursing mothers in numbers on their side. Present your case to the authority (manager, etc) as an upside for them ....you really want to stay at work and meet the companies needs and help with goals and having a room to nurse (rather than having to go to your car for privacy or someplace close but that would require extra time away from your desk) would meet the companies needs best. Something along those lines. Most companies will meet your needs because they want to keep you on staff. When I returned to work I had to check the patient schedule of a wellness clinic an use whatever examination room was not currently scheduled (sometimes the only thing available was a storage room but) all were private and we all we pleased with the outcome. Good luck

I work in communications for a large company and frequently partner with HR. My advice to you is that when you approach HR, don't be threatening about it. Like anyone, that puts them on the defensive and as other people have described here, it sounds like they are technically following the law with the current arrangements.

Instead, position this as a win-win -- better arrangements for working moms will lead to increased productivity and will help with their recruiting and diversity efforts at a corporate level.

And take ownership of the issue. You can do this by volunteering to lead a cross-functional project team (including HR, facilities, etc.)to make the improvements or to organize a users group who will help keep the area stocked and clean, etc.

The key is to demonstrate that this isn't an employee vs. management issue, but an opportunity to team. I know it sounds kind of corny, but it's really important.