Breastfeeding At Work

marybelle01

I don't think the concern of the OP is actually whether she will be allowed to or not. Her concern is whether this proves a bridge too far and she gets sacked, since she's only been there a couple of weeks and they can get rid (if the want to - there's no evidence they do!) for pretty much any reason they want to make. Which is why I am suggesting that providing a solution to the problem rather than asserting it as a need or a right is the way to go.

coinxoperated

Are there smokers where you work? Do they 'nip out' for a smoke? If so, I see no difference in the time you would take in the loo's expressing in private or them going out the back for a crafty smoke?

skintandscared_2

Do you get any breaks at all? A lunchbreak? Could you do it then?

Actually, thinking about it in light of the post above (about going to the loos to express) would you really want to do it in a public toilet??! If not, you are also talking about work making a private room available for you to do it.

ktothema

A few mums I know who are/were recently in your position have found their employers being more accepting of allowing breaks for expressing and storage of milk far more than they were allowing flexible working in general (though like I said before I had thought that was because of the law rather than a recommendation!).

As to the sacking thing, they can sack you for sneezing into your left hand instead of your right if they want now (well until you've been there 2 yrs). I know how important it can be to breastfeeding mums to continue doing this, and that trying to switch can be very difficult so I'd really suggest trying not to worry too much or stress yourself too much now. Just try to do what's right for you and your children and if you go for it in a reasoned way with your company (say trying to offset time or using the smokers example if existing) they will hopefully be ok.

ktothema

skintandscared wrote: »

Do you get any breaks at all? A lunchbreak? Could you do it then?

Actually, thinking about it in light of the post above (about going to the loos to express) would you really want to do it in a public toilet??! If not, you are also talking about work making a private room available for you to do it.

Breastfeeding tends to work as a supply/demand thing. If OP just expresses during lunch her supply may drop and she may not be able to produce enough to meet her child's needs. I'm guessing that's why she's mentioned needing two breaks.

Unfortunately, having double checked, the right to a safe, clean place to express doesn't exist. It's recommended, but this is what some mums are having to do. Personally I'd rather not, but then that's easy for me to say as I never returned to work whilst breastfeeding.

coinxoperated

I know the loo's aren't the most favourable place to do it, but it will take some pressure off them to make a 'room available and empty' for you to do it. They may be less inclined to stick there nose up at it.

Another idea, is ask to split your lunch up. If you have 30 minutes, have 3 10 minute breaks, two of which you can express in. If its 60 minutes, take 30 minutes for your lunch and split the other two 15 minutes into expressing times you agree with them.

I don't believe they can really refuse you time to do it, but it would be in your best employment interests to be flexible and use it in your own lunch time. Some companies can be !!!!!s when it comes to letting you use their money for something you need to do.

MonkeyMad

Unless it is part of a disability or part of a return to work plan you may find you have no right to use your employers time in this way (even then you don't have a legal right), and they would be within their rights to refuse you; harsh but there is. If you go about it correctly they are unlikely to.

If your large company is anything like mine you will find there will be few spare conference or store rooms that are not being used throughout the day, so you may find it is not reasonable to expect your employer to provide you a room. Employers are usually only expected to make reasonable adjustment in these situations, and if a room does not exist, I doubt you would find it reasonable to create one.

Unless they have some form of death-wish, most managers I have worked for and with will not want to get involved in this issue (especially if they are men) and will not make a big deal of it unless you are spending vast amounts of time not working. As previous posters say couldn't you just tell your boss you are going to nip off twice a day to do your stuff, and could you make the time up at both ends of the day. I can't see they would care too much?

melb

where would you be able to store the milk?

Savvy_Sue

I know you're new, but my advice would be to see if you can think of a solution before you make it a problem, IYSWIM.

So, if there is a room which might reasonably be unoccupied for 10 minutes twice a day, then ask if it would be OK to use it.

If there isn't a room, consider whether you would be prepared to express in the loo.

I believe some people have objected to having breast milk stored in the communal work fridge, so I would recommend a non-see through plastic storage box with your name on.

Elvisia

You might want to be very careful about storing it in the fridge - make sure it doesn't look like a bottle of milk or you might find come the end of the day it's been in everyone's tea!!