return to work breastfeeding

sarahe

Hello
I'm putting in my letter today about returning to work after maternity leave.
I have to give 28 days notice.
I've read all the bumpf from my employer - the council guide for teachers- but nowhere does it mention my right to continue to breastfeed.

I know I have to tell them and I know it's my right to have time to breastfeed - well to express milk. I aim to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months - so have 3 months to go and then I anticipate that will need to still express for another 6 months until feeds are really reduced - that's what happened with my 2 others.

Our school day begins at 8.20 - yes whistle goes at 8.25 - then we only have a 15 min break where I can leave the classroom until 12.30. Yes it is a long morning! I will need about 30 mins to sort myself out.

So - where is the info on the right to do this?
Thanks
Sarah

jenpoptab

I would check out mother and baby and prima baby magazines to see if they have any info along with bounty website.

Also check this out and see if it's any good

http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/resourcefile/data20.asp

oldmotherreilly

Have you tried the Maternity Alliance website? They are normally pretty good at this sort of info and if it is not on their website then they have an information telephone line and certain times when you can talk to advisors in person over the phone.

sarahe

Hello
I tried the maternity alliance - but searched breastfeeding and it didn't come up with any info on your rights when returning to work.
We have a new head and I want to reference where she can find the info.
I referenced the info about job share from the LEA guidelines but can't find breastfeeding stuff.
I tried UK parents - I'll give prima ago!
Thanks

Counting_Pennies_2

Why not phone up and talk to the HR rep. If the school don't use the council as their personnel service, they will have bought into a personnel provider and they will be able to give you all the advice you need.

They will understand the school set up so much more than other generic employment law organisations and will probably have experience of others returning to work in a school setting and how the expressing fits in with the school timetable and who can provide cover if it isn't possible to do in the short breaks.

Nikki

I would do as the previous poster said. I had to go back to work when my daughter was 12 weeks old as I wasn't entitled to extended maternity leave at this time. At the time I was a checkout operator and they have very rigid scheduling for staff on this department. As I only worked 8.30 - 1.30 I was only entitled to a 15 min tea break and it had to be taken by 10am. No good for me whatsoever as I needed to express milk. Can't remember who I spoke to(6yrs ago now)but I was fully accommodated, got as long as I needed to express(about 30 mins) and at a time that suited me(the fuller the better!!)

carpool72

Health & Safety at work legislation supports you to continue breastfeeding. Have a look at their website www.hse.gov.uk/mothers for more info, and if you're in a union they can help too.

Good luck!
C

helendelyth

Hi.
I am just about to have my third child and hope to be breastfeeding again. I would recommend calling the Maternity Alliance as they do a really good guide for Employers detailing best practice regarding return to work and breastfeeding and giving guidance on how to accommodate you as the employee. Best practice obviously not the same as a legal requirement however it is in the interest of most large employers these days to adopt best practice.

GeDink

good luck with this, let us know how you get on

sarahlouise210

try this www.nct.org.uk/breastfeeding/support-employer.html lots of useful info there!

Sarahsaver

Your employer has to provide you with a room to express milk and appropriate facilities to store it.
I was in the NUT and they knew about it all.
Good luck, hope you are successful at 'pumping' I never was