Expressing milk at work

moneypuddle

Hi,

Of the women who have returned to work whilst still breastfeeding, I wondered what was put in place for you to be able to express milk in working hours, ie if you were given a seperate room in which you could express milk.

I work in a business centre, and my company have 2 of the office units (there are probably 30 in total) and some are empty. Aside from public corridors, there are the office, toilets and a kitchen. Is it reasonable to request to use one of the empty office for the time it takes me to express milk when I need to, once I return to work after maternity leave?

I just don't think its nice (or particularly convenient for other people) for me to have to sit in a loo cubicle pumping milk.

Home isn't far away but on a busy day it would be nice to have the option to not have to drive home.

I had spoken about it very informly to the business centre manager before and she suggested they might charge me to use an empty office each day. I didn't think this seemed reasonable, especially as I would estimate there are at least 6 empty offices at the minute but didn't push it any further.

Any advice welcome

Judith_W

I believe the company are legally obligated to provide you with a suitable space. Hopefully someone will be along with more info.

Judith_W

So if the business centre charged, it would go to your company.

moneypuddle

Aw god that would go down well Thanks

marybelle01

I am afraid I agree with Judith_W. The business centre isn't your employer and don't owe you anything, and the employer only has two offices. They are only obligated to provide you with space if they have it - and they don't. They might have more success talking to the business centre than you would have, but I can't see that they can force the issue unless they are willing to pay for the extra space. I know it seems utterly unreasonable of the business centre, but that isn't the employers fault I suppose.

Racheldevon

Your local sure start children's centre will have breastfeeding support worker/s who can advise/support you with this issue. Have a look on google to find your nearest one. Many of them are now required to follow the UNICEF breastfeeding friendly initative, and can link you into other services if helpful for example with pump hire.

hcb42

I dont think the business centre need to do anything, it's none of your employer's business if the units are empty, they are their units to charge for as they see fit.

It will be a matter of raising it with your employer, they might decide they will pay something towards the extra room (i.e. negotiate with the business centre manager)

augustsmummy

Have you tried talking to your employer?
I spoke to mine about the fact I was breastfeeding and she said I could use her office if it was free at the time (was free alot due to her going to meetings/ training etc).
I opted in the end not to use it, I just cluster fed DD (then later DS) at bedtime, but they were 11 months when I went back to work so could have water and food with Daddy till bed time. But I was greatful of the offer.
Just chat to the boss and see if there is anything they can do.

moneypuddle

Thank you. My employer's take on it: 'its up to you to sort out, not me' So nice to feel supported by a company you have worked for for 5.5 years

pickpocketlocket

moneypuddle wrote: »

Thank you. My employer's take on it: 'its up to you to sort out, not me' So nice to feel supported by a company you have worked for for 5.5 years

What do you expect them to do, taking into account the limits of a workplace environment? Can you think of a reasonable arrangement?

PasturesNew

If a business centre has empty units they'll randomly get potential customers wander in to look round/see them to choose one.... they might take their business elsewhere if they couldn't view the empty unit that'd be the one they'd have chosen. They will also rent them out by the hour/day at the drop of a hat.

To put it another way - if you worked next door to a hire car company, would you expect them to lend you a car to go shopping at lunchtimes?