Having Issues with pumping at work

equinechick61 · Mar 13, 2014

Who is directly in charge of her?. Go through your chain of command and discuss rationally. Perhaps come up with an alternative like staying over or coming in early. If they see you are attempting to work with the system it will oh easier for you.

hope3456, ASN, RN · Mar 13, 2014

http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Employment/WorkplaceSupport/WorkplaceSupportinFederalLaw/tabid/175/Default.aspx

Your CN is in the wrong. You get a "reasonable" amount of time. There is a link to where you can file a complaint. Let us know how it turns out. If following chain of command doesn't work out.

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 13, 2014

From the wonderful link that Hope posted (thank you!) is this very pertinent part of the law:

How often can you pump during the workday? The "Break Time for Nursing Mothers" law requires employers to provide time and space "each time such employee has need to express the milk." If the space is not available when you need it, your employer is not meeting the requirements of the law.
A breastfeeding mother must pump her milk as often as the baby usually eats. During the early months of your baby's life you will probably need to pump your milk every 2-3 hours during the workday.
Because a baby's feeding schedule changes over time, your pumping schedule will probably change too. Once your baby begins eating solid foods, you may be able to pump less often.

In order to maintain your milk supply, you need to pump more than once in a 12-hour period. And your employer must, by law, provide those opportunities to you. If your baby is 2-3 months old, I would say that at least three pumping sessions would be appropriate.

BostonRN13 · Mar 13, 2014

That's stinks. I know it's harder to pump when you are watching the clock and trying to eat you lunch, lol!! My place of work gave me an extra 15 mins on my lunch break. Have you spoken with your manager? Nurse leaders at your institution? I would go in person and try and speak with nurse leadership about adding an employee-only breast pump or at least an additional one in the hospital. In the meantime, fight for extra time on your lunch break. You deserve to be able to breast feed your baby the way you choose and should be pumping every few hours to maintain your supply. Good luck!

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 13, 2014

Here is the info on who you should contact. I would first, though, go over your charge nurse's head and talk with HER direct supervisor.

The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) says that if your employer refuses to comply with the law, you can file a complaint by calling the toll-free WHD number 1-800-487-9243. You will then be directed to your nearest WHD office for assistance. Have this information handy to file your complaint:

Your name
Your address and phone number
The name of the company where you work(ed)
Location of the company
Company phone number
Manager or owners name
The type of work you did
How and when you were paid
The date of birth of your nursing child
A description of your concern (what part of the law did the employer fail to meet?)

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 13, 2014

Wow - what a can of worms! I had no idea that there was still such a level of ignorance out there (lack of support for nursing moms). Just another indication of lack of management education.

I work for a faith-based organization - very clear policy on this issue. Even in our corporate offices, each employee 'break area' has a private room with fridge, chairs, etc. to support pumping moms. Information/education is provided to employees at the time they apply for maternity leave.

sungrl01 · Mar 13, 2014

Wow - what a can of worms! I had no idea that there was still such a level of ignorance out there (lack of support for nursing moms). Just another indication of lack of management education. I work for a faith-based organization - very clear policy on this issue. Even in our corporate offices each employee 'break area' has a private room with fridge, chairs, etc. to support pumping moms. Information/education is provided to employees at the time they apply for maternity leave.[/quote']
Wow that must be nice. I WISH I had that support. The pathetic thing is is that I work with a bunch of women..MOTHERS no less. No there is one area in hospital which isn't even designated for pumping. It's a room shared by other departments as a waiting room for pt family members. It locks but yeah sometimes that room is taken. It is frustrating I put so much into my work and being threatened to be suspended for just trying to feed my son is crazy. He can't feed himself. Funny I thought I left the child games when I grew up and graduated. Sadly when I go to work it's like I am living a bad high school/grammar school flashback :/

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Mar 15, 2014

Can't you go to an empty patient room and close the door? That is what many of the nurses do here.

To those that are encouraging her to filing a formal complaint...let's be honest..you have to be careful with that. When you cause trouble for the facility, you can set a timer on your job.

nerdygal18 · Mar 16, 2014

I don't have anything helpful to add, but I just wanted to say that I am so, so sorry this is happening to you. *Hugs* The state of breastfeeding and the workplace is at such a tragic state in our country.

GGT1 · Mar 16, 2014

Yeah, I'd most definitely go above the charge nurse. Check your state laws and also see if your hospital has any specific policies. I was able to breastfeed for a whole year because my unit was very supportive.