Expressing milk at work

joannaspanner

Might it be worth speaking direct to the receptionist at the business centre? I'm a receptionist at a Business Centre, and If I was asked, I would just let them use a room for 10 minutes or so to do this ( I personally wouldn't be petty to charge) same as I do if people just need some privacy for 5 mins to make a private call or something like that? Might be worth trying.

Sambucus_Nigra

pimento wrote: »

I'm not saying it's right but if the OP was a bloke, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Just saying..

Well, full marks to you for pointing out the bleedin obvious.

What's that got to do with anything?

joannaspanner

Man milk!!!!!!!!!

System

Maybe they are saying 'not my prob' because they have looked at it and have come to the conclusion that there is in fact nothing that they can do to help the OP without incurring disproportionate costs or disturbing the rest of the workforce unduly.

pimento

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Well, full marks to you for pointing out the bleedin obvious.

What's that got to do with anything?

All I'm trying to illustrate is how easy it is to make it less attractive for an employer to employ a woman over a man.

Face1992

Isn't the paid maternity allowance supposed to be for scenarios like the OPs question?

ktothema

To the people asking about whether or not OP could breastfeed outside of work hours:

It totally depends on how much milk her baby requires and how much she's able to produce in the time she has at home outside of breastfeeding her child. Most people would not choose to express in an office environment if they could get away with it, so it strongly suggests OP doesn't have the supply to feed her child at home and express. Boobs aren't actually like milk taps btw.

dizzyrascal

Well the age of the child is relevant to this enquiry and it has been asked on this thread but so far the OP has not volunteered the information.
I realise that pregnancy relating to work is protected but we can't always have what we want.
I cycle to work and would love to have a proper changing room with lockers and a shower but despite 6 years of asking, so far my needs have not been met. Instead I have to get out of my wet clothes (on rainy days of course) in a toilet cubicle and leave my clothes to drip near my desk in an open plan office. Not ideal and not what I really want but the budget can only go so far and as yet my needs have not come to the top of the pile. (I've just used this as an example of individual needs)

thegirlintheattic

ktothema wrote: »

To the people asking about whether or not OP could breastfeed outside of work hours:

It totally depends on how much milk her baby requires and how much she's able to produce in the time she has at home outside of breastfeeding her child. Most people would not choose to express in an office environment if they could get away with it, so it strongly suggests OP doesn't have the supply to feed her child at home and express. Boobs aren't actually like milk taps btw.

Well then surely, the OP can provide as much milk as she can and if needs be this topped up with formula.

ktothema

thegirlintheattic wrote: »

Well then surely, the OP can provide as much milk as she can and if needs be this topped up with formula.

This is not an option for a lot of women, and a choice OP and every other mother who returns to work is entitled to make. It is not something to be forced upon them in the workplace which is why its been enshrined in the equalities act. And to be totally honest I'd tell you where to go if you told me how to feed my children/parents/pets/etc.

OP is only asking what's reasonable for her to ask. She's not kicking off because her employee haven't provided anything above minimum. OP seems to have accepted her situation.