Pumping at Work

I would be outraged. I agree with the previous poster and talk to your boss first and get his/her perspective of things. Then you'll have his/her backing. If you have their backing, I would say something to those women like, you know, there's something that's been bothering me lately and I'd like to ask you a question. Be honest with me, do you have an issue with me leaving twice a day to pump or is there something else that bothers you in regards to that or something that I'm doing wrong? If they say no I'd keep talking and say that you are glad that they understand that you are providing your child with the best and that under MN statute 181.99 you have a right to pump at work. This should shut them up. I would change things so you clock out. It is not to be paid time. That is where they may have the issue. Just because they pee away company time doesn't mean you should. Make yourself an example and do the right thing.

181.939, Minnesota Statutes 2007
Copyright © 2007 by the Office of Revisor of Statutes, State of Minnesota.

https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?pubtyp...

181.939 NURSING MOTHERS.
An employer must provide reasonable unpaid break time each day to an employee who needs
to express breast milk for her infant child. The break time must, if possible, run concurrently with
any break time already provided to the employee. An employer is not required to provide break
time under this section if to do so would unduly disrupt the operations of the employer.
The employer must make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location, in close
proximity to the work area, other than a toilet stall, where the employee can express her milk in
privacy. The employer would be held harmless if reasonable effort has been made.
For the purposes of this section, "employer" means a person or entity that employs one or
more employees and includes the state and its political subdivisions.

You should check the laws where you live but I think there are laws in place to allow you to pump at work. I am not sure if they have to pay you for the time you are pumping but I believe they need to allow you the time to do so. Again check with your state law.

K.,

agree with Nicole and Kristin - take the issue up with your boss - keep it above the trenchrats - look into the legal part of it. If they have an issue, refer them to your boss.

It's so sad they are not supportive of your decision to feed your baby. I CONGRATULATE YOU on your amazing gift to your little girl by feeding and pumping. Keep patting yourself on the back and surround yourself with people who support and love you - keep your eyes and heart focused on your daughter - SHE'S what matters - not the icky workers. We're here for you - let us know what happens! :)

GREAT job mama!

I've never been in this situation, but I would have a talk with the boss. If he doesn't have a problem with it, don't worry about what the women think. It's none of their business. If you are not spending a lot of time pumping while on the clock I don't see what the problem is. Most people don't have an issue with smoke, snack, or bathroom breaks- I don't understand why they would complain about your means of feeding your child.

I would be upset, and being upset makes it harder to let your milk down so it eventually takes longer too, so if I were you, I'd probably mention it.

Say something like, "I don't want to offend you by my choice to pump at work and I'm am wondering if there is a way in which we can all be comfortable in my situation and if I can make a comprimise somehow to make you more comfortable, I will try. I've just gotten the sense lately that I'm offending you and that the offense is my pumping."

See if that opens the door for suggestions or if they denigh it. If they denigh it and say "No, we're not offended." Then, let it go and treat it like it's not an issue, even if they continue their behavior. If they offer suggestions, you can take them or leave them, but legally, they don't have really much to say about it. You would just be very nice in offering to change in order to please them. They should feel sheepish if anything by your superior additude while they act like children. If they continue to give you the cold shoulder for it, discuss it with your Supv. because it is creating an uncomfortable atmosphere for all of you, and your quitting is not an option, nor will your decision to pump again if you have more children be an option.

I pumped at work for almost 9 months. While it wasn't always convenient, and I didn't have an exact time frame in mind as far as how long I wanted to breast feed, I felt it was an important thing to do for my daughter, and I wanted to try for that one year mark (I didn't get quite hit it because she got so many teeth in that HURT!). I guess there may be differences in state laws, but where I'm at (MN), companies are required to offer one (paid) 15 minute break for every 4 hours worked, plus an unpaid lunch break. I would use my 2 15 min. breaks to pump, and it worked well, giving me my lunch break to get away and relax for a bit. You might want to check with your HR dept. and/or your state laws on breaks. If yours is similar, then someone has to cover for you so you can take a break, regardless of the reason. On another point, it sounds like your coworkers are extremely petty and perhaps a bit immature and lazy. They don't want you (or anyone else, probably) getting something they don't feel they get/have, and they're certainly not going to put in more work than they have to. That type of attitude DOES need to be addressed. They're creating a negative atmosphere at work that most managers would not approve of. Good luck and don't quit pumping just because of them!! I'm sure there are tons of breastfeeding moms out there who would "have your back"!

You know you can't please everybody, it sounds like to me you have a couple of jelous Nellies and I would just ignore them!!! I really don't think your boss has a problem with it or he would have told you about it already. If it makes you feel better, talk to him, but I'm afraid that if you confront these two you are just opening a can of worms you wish you hadn't.

As I read your post I got madder (is that a word?) and madder and madder! I urge you not to let this situation in any way cut short the time you plan to nurse. Legally your employer must provide you a private space with an outlet to nurse (NOT a bathroom). But I don't believe they have to pay you during those times. So, if I was in this situation I would go to the boss, tell him you do not expect to be paid during the pumping sessions, but you DO expect to have coverage provided WITHOUT YOU HAVING TO ASK FOR IT. Then make it very clear to these "ladies" that you are not getting paid while pumping and if they have any problems covering for you, to take it up with the boss since he is legally required to allow you to pump. Also tell them that you appreciate their understanding as fellow mothers (kill 'um with kindness). If you say nothing, your resentment (and theirs) will fester and build and come out in other ways, you may decide to stop breastfeeding earlier than you would otherwise, and the worry will always be hanging over your head as you plan for your next kid. Clear the air, girl!

In addition to mamatatwo's comments, I'd put this issue in your boss' lap, and avoid getting caught up in the "meow-mix" with the cats at work. He's the one you're accountable to, not them. If he knows your legal rights, and your company's policies on this sort of thing (double check on what those may be and compare that to what the state law is) it should be up to him to help you make arrangements and see to it you get what you need. If you feel uncomfortable talking to the boss, by all means approach your Human Resources department about this. Just keep the office politics above board and amongst the company generals, and avoid any unnecessary complications with the trench rats.

Yes it's worth bringing up. There is probably someone else going through this to. If not, there will be..and if you plan on more kids, that someone may be you. Just be smart about it, so you don't cause unnecessary problems for yourself. The good thing is you have the law on your side.

Check out this site. Print the info and keep it handy in case your boss confronts you. Also, provide him with a copy upfront so he knows your rights. Being male, he may have no idea. However being a boss, he should know. Do you have a Human Resources Dept? They would know as well. To heck with your co-workers opinions. Its between you and your boss. Maybe explain to them that their concerns should not be an issue since its between you and the boss, which you've covered with him. I highly recommend you deal with him even if he hasn't broached the subject. Once that's done, maybe ask him to address your co-workers and their negative comments. Explain it impacts your work performance that they're getting involved when you feel they shouldn't be.
www.breastfeedingworks.org/labor-code.htm
In this site, you'll find the legal wording and you'll also find you have rights when it comes to pumping at work!
Best of luck.

I have a 5 month old and I pump at work also. I am lucky because my boss has a 1 1/2 year old and used to pump at work. I am very strong willed so if any of my co-workers had a problem with me pumping at work I simply wouldn't care. Do you get 15 minute breaks? I thought that they were required by law, but I could be wrong. Everyone needs a break, and it's not up to a co-worker to decide what you do on your break. Don't let them intimidate you. You are doing a wonderful thing for your child. When you get discouraged, just think of your precious baby and the gift you are giving to her. Not all women choose to breast feed. Your child is one of the lucky ones. Stay strong. Forget about those two crappy co-workers. Just keep doing what your doing!

I am pretty sure there are laws about allowing mothers to breast feed and pump. Here is a link see what you can find! http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm

As for saying something, I sure would! If your boss is ignorant enough to side w/ these horrible women then I would politely inform him of your states laws regarding breastfeeding and pumping and if there aren't any in your state tell him about other states...maybe he'll 'get' it then!

Dear K.,
I feel for you with your situation. I was a dental asst. for 7 years, while I had my first 3 kids. I suffered the same sort of ridicule, and it was embarressing! I was tempted to quit pumping at work to avoid the "gossip". Then I figured, who is more important, my babies or the "uninformed". I acutally made the comment to my fellow workers one day asking them why They had a problem with me pumping. Afterall, I didn't ask them to help me or anything and I asked them if they would like to pay for the formula that costs about $8 bucks a can. It's funny how they got embarressed when I called them on it. Just ignore them and do what is best for you and your baby. You will be slowing down on the nursing soon enough, when your baby starts eating more food anyway. Good for you for doing what is best for your baby. Go ahead and have as many children that you and your husband desire!
I am a mother of 5 now, ages 11-3mos. and I got to stay home PT after my 3rd baby and FT after #4, I can't afford to GO to work!:) Best of luck to you!

N. C.

I would like to add to what "Mamatatwo" said regarding paid time for pumping. As long as your workplace offers 1 or 2 breaks durnig the day (I think most do) in addition to your lunch, you should be able to pump during those breaks and your lunch. You may not actually be clocking out, but it is the same concept as taking a snack break or walk or whatever people do on breaks. I feel for you. I pumped at work for 10 or 11 months. I've found that, in general, men are more supportive and less judgmental about it. I find that sad. Maybe men just don't want to talk about it period; however, that's better than talking behind your back like the ladies at your workplace are doing. Hang in there. I'm sorry for your situation.

I had trouble pumping at work, but not because of coverage. My cowoker was good about it and never complained even though I got the impression it was hard for her to cover for me, especially if it happened to get busy while I was gone. It made me try to hurry up and get it out and get back, but then I couldn't relax well enough to let it come down. It was a catch 22 for me. After about a week of that and my baby not taking a bottle at home for my husband I quit and stayed at home with him. The stress of it was just too much.

You have every right to pump at work. Don't take grief from anyone about this - you are doing what is best for your child. Pumping at work is extremely common. If what these women said is going to keep bothering you - say something to them. Let them carry the burden of explaining their insensitive position to you. You're in the right here.

K.~
I was worried about pumping at work as well, and had only minimal problems with it (I pumped for 9 months after returning to work). Your employer has to allow you a location to pump and the time to complete the pumping, BUT they do not have to pay you for the time you are away from your work. I took two 1/2 hour breaks (one at 10 and one at 2) to complete my pumping. So I didn't feel bad in the least that I was away from my desk to pump because it was my break time. The only problem I had with pumping was a coworker obsessing over which office i was going to use (don't worry about it-I've got it under control :) I also had the attitude that it didn't matter to me what anyone thought... what i was doing was for my daughter's well-being and nothing was more important.

Good luck! And please don't let those people influence when you stop pumping..that is up to you and your daughter.

I wouldn't just let this go. If it were me, I'd have to do something about it. I’d either talk to your boss or your HR department. Even if you are almost done pumping this might come up for someone else in the future or you in the future if you are thinking about having another child. I pumped at work for 11 months and when I started there was no place to go but a bathroom stall. I knew this before returning to work and requested there be a place for me to pump. Our HR department agreed and said they'd have something lined up by the time I got back to work. Needless to say, there was nothing but a chair in a single bathroom stall when I showed up on my first day. I outright refused to pump there and took it back to HR. Turns out it had been shot down by a GUY that runs our office who said the bathroom stall was good enough. Well after going back to HR and sending the links to the site regarding the law, there was a room for me to pump by 9:30 that morning when I needed it. Since then there have already been 3 other moms that have used the new room and love it. One of which used the bathroom to pump the last time she had a child and hated going in there to pump. Anyway, I hope you don't let this be the reason you stop. You need to do what is best for you and your baby and that is it.

this is the kind of situation that moms rising is fighting for. you should check them out. momsrising.com or momsrising.org i cant remember. try .org first cuz thats the one im thinking it is.

please remember that you are doing what is best for your baby, and NOTHING should be able to make you stop it. if you want to continue nursing all the way though a year, do it, it is what is best for your child. dont let the attitude of your coworkers discourage you and keep you from doing something fantastic and loving for your child!!

many many women have problems pumping at work, and most decide that they arent going to bother continuing to breastfeed. i discourage this decision because human milk is best for human babies, but it doesnt work for everyone. what we need is more workplaces to support working moms, breastfeeding or not, and allow them some extra support during the early years of a child's life.

this kinda goes along with what you are feeling: people usually have a certain amount of breaks that they get during a day right? my husband gets one half hour to hour lunch, and 2 15 minute coffee breaks where he works. however, his coworker, who smokes, can take a smoke break whenever he wants, as often as he wants. isnt that unfair? im sure you probably see that too, you have trouble getting a break to pump, which is VERY HEALTHY for you and your baby, and the smokers get unlimited amounts of breaks for smoking, something that is unhealthy for everyone, including the people who have to walk through the doorway where the smokers are smoking! doesnt make much sense does it?

i wonder what your boss would say if you prepared a very calm, rational conversation, backing it up with the good work that you do, and how valuable you are as an employee... usually employers are willing to make adjustments for the employees that really do a good job. if you are a great employee, i would think that gives you the right to ask for breaks for pumping.

i would assume you have an electric pump. if not, just for your information, check with your insurance company and see if they will supply you with an electric pump. my insurance company supplied me with the medela pump in style, all i had to do was get a prescription from my doctor! also, even though i ended up not having to pump much, i found that when my baby cried, i let down a lot faster than if i just had a picture. so maybe record your baby crying... that might help your let down come faster, and get you done sooner...

but, in the end i really want to give you strength and encouragement, a lot of women give up because of this so i am so proud of you that you are keeping with it. STAY with it, because not only is it very good for your baby it is very good for you!!! human milk for human babies. who would have thought! you are being the best mom you can be, just dont let others opinions get you discouraged! you will never regret doing what you have to do to breastfeed your baby, i dont and im still nursing my son who is 16 1/2 months old! i work at home so i have an easier time, but i know how it can make things harder... but keep at it, if you are a religious person, pray about it because that will also help!

anyway, i just want you to be confident that you can do this, no matter what problems you have, or what gets in your way, you can breastfeed your baby as long as you want, and dont let the whispering get you down. i hope your boss is understanding and i hope that you will be able to talk to him and get your workplace more breastfeeding-friendly!

I worked for a year full-time while pumping for my 2nd child as a nurse in a hospital (night shift). I would pump once in an 8-hour shift & twice in a 12-hr shift. I tried to cooincide it with my breaks that I was allowed by law, although all of us just ate on the floor at night as the cafeteria was closed anyway. When the other nurses needed to cover my call lights while I pumped, some of them would "harumph" & act like it was big deal. But I just ignored them, because I had to cover for many of them while they were off the floor smoking! At least I was still on the floor & could help out if an emergency arose, while they were outside & unreachable while they smoked. Anyway, don't let their bad attitude get you down. You have every right to pump, & it's a much more important use of your time than how they waste theirs. Do your best to resolve the issue with them & your boss as suggested below, going above him if you have to. But in the end, you are right, so don't give in to pressure.

K.,

I had a horrible experience with pumping at work but for slightly different reasons. My manager wasn't exactly supportive -- he just didn't really say anything and let me do my thing. The problem was, there was no offices or anything so it had to be done in the bathroom. There were over 400 employees in the building and the bathroom was large enough that I wasn't in a stall but behind a wooden screen in the sink area separated from the toilets by a partial wall. Needless to say, it was very distracting with the constant traffic in the room (not to mention some of the unpleasant noises and smells!), people gossipping for 15 minutes at a time in there, talking on their phones (yes, while going pee!), other mothers sitting right next to the screen waiting to pump, but the WORST part is I cannot tell you how many times people peeked around the screen to "see what was going on back there". There was a sign on the screen asking for privacy but it didn't make a difference to some. I had to carry an old sheet around with me to hang over the screen since it was cheap and pretty much see-through and when I covered the screen it caused people to come around the corner anyway! NOT a good environment. Eventually they covered it with a permanent sheet cover after I complained about it and put up even bigger signs but it didn't stop the most determined people from peeking. My milk production decreased significantly and went on a slow and steady decline until I just stopped pumping because it was barely generating enough for one feeding. I feel that this was largely due to the uncomfortable environment at work which made it difficult for me to relax.

The biggest problem I had was that my complaints were viewed as petty because none of the other moms complained about these things. I wish that others had spoken up to make it better. I was happy that a place was provided and that I wasn't being given a hard time about using time to do it but I really feel that the accommodations were just not suitable. Not only should a place be provided but it should be PRIVATE and SUITABLE for pumping. Don't be afraid to speak up but don't be too disappointed if you don't get immediate responses. Some people just won't change but you will feel better if you speak up.

Good luck to you!!
K.

I did it too - for 9 months. I am very fortunate with a supportive boss - he's very family oriented. I did run into some attitudes with the younger, single men. One actually said to a co-worker "some people don't have their priorities straight". I've always been one to keep the air open between my co-workers and myself. I like my job and don't want negativity hanging around my desk :-) When I confronted the guy - I basically said "you know, I'm a little upset with the comment I heard you say about me..." Of course, he denied it, BUT our working relationship was better anyway. When I've had to confront female workers - it's a little more complicated. But - everytime I've confronted and cleared the air, the relationships are better. SO -- making a long story short, I'd clear the air with them first and if that doesn't help I'd also have a talk with the boss. You have every RIGHT to pump at work - I think what's most important is your family. Good luck to you :-)

Patients?! If you are working in a health care atmosphere and getting flack for pumping there is something seriously wrong with where you work. It also seems odd to have everyone talking about it with you and each other except those people that really matter, namely your boss. You should bring it up and just mention that you want to work something out that fits for everyone's schedules and needs. It doesn't have to be confrontational. Good luck!

It is YOUR RIGHT to pump at work and it is discrimination if they say something or say something against you.....you are doing the healthiest thing for your baby.....keep up the great work!! I am a firm believer in breast feeding and from what I know, in the work place, it is discrimination to not let someone breastfeed or harass them about it....it's kind of like people taking smoke breaks.....consider it your "smoke break"....good luck!!

Depending on where you live, this might not be something that is protected by law, unfortunately. However, there are a lot of benefits for employers whose workers are breastfeeding - such as employees missing fewer work days due to sick children.
My suggestion would be to possibly contact your local health department and see if they would do an education day at your work. I am currently doing a clinical at a health department which is on its way to being certified as a breastfeeding friendly health department. One of the requirements for this is that they pick at least one business a year to educate about breastfeeding. It might be worth a shot to contact them and see if that's something they would do. Having the information coming from a nurse might be beneficial for your co-workers, as well.
Best of luck to you!
J.

Your work and the people at your work have to support you if you decide to nurse and need to pump. IT'S THE LAW!!!! If I were you I would find documentation of this law and show it to your co-workers. I remember when I pumped at work I also felt like my co-workers resented me for the "extra breaks" I got. However, they didn't realize that pumping wasn't exactly a "break". I would run around find a place to pump. Pump, then have to clean up all my equipment, etc. Then get caught back up at work. It wasn't easy. Like you, I think I would have nursed longer, if it wasn't so hard to pump at work. But if you want to nurse, you should not have to feel bad about pumping at work. Bottom line...you are doing an amazing thing and should be supported for it. Good luck with everything.