When to Tell Prospective Employer I Need to Pump/breastfeed?

I got a new job 10 weeks after my last baby was born. I worked full-time, so not pumping was not an option. He was exclusively breastfed like my other babies. I just showed up for work with my pump and went about my business. They legally have to allow you to pump, and provide you a room for it. It may not be the most glorious room, but a private space is a must.

I never had any problems. Good luck!

Bring it up after they extend an offer, not earlier. Don't treat it like a big deal, and they probably won't either.

Here's the federal law information:

http://www.dol.gov/whd/nursingmothers/

I really don't think you should tell this to prospective employers. If you are going to do it during your breaks and lunch then it's none of their business.

If you tell this during the interview, they might see you as someone who could be potentially difficult, even if you tell them that you would be "willing to take time out of your breaks and lunches," and actually, ESPECIALLY if you told them that.

As your employer, they will EXPECT you to take care of your personal business during your personal time (breaks, lunch), NOT during the time they are paying you for. Therefore, even using the phrase, "I would be willing to..." might set up a red flag, because the employer's expectation is that those times are the ONLY times that you would be pumping. (How would you be breastfeeding, unless you are working at a day care where your child is present?)

Pumping/nursing your child are great things, but you will be hard put to find an employer in this country who is going to feel like it is their responsibility to pay you for the time you are engaged in doing it. Therefore, I would remain mute on the subject.

ETA: I'm seeing other posts about how they have to legally allow you to pump, and that's great, but I still wouldn't tell them during the interview. After.

i disagree with the advice to wait until you have the job to discuss it. yes, you're legally entitled to pump and should not make a huge deal about it. but 'hiding' it until you have the job implies that you don't trust them to treat you right and sets up a bad atmosphere. i'd bring it up casually during the interview and make it clear that you will make sincere efforts to keep the disruption to any work routine minimal. if they're pissy about it or refuse to hire you because of it, it's going to be a miserable place to try and make it work.
be upfront, professional and positive about it. sell it just as you do the rest of your professional package.
khairete
S.

The time to bring this up is when they have extended an offer to you that is satisfactory. For instance, if you need more vacation or compensation than the initial offer contains, come to an agreement on that first; then bring up the pumping issue as a 'just wanted to give you a head's up.' Showing up on the first day and asking where the pumping room is not a fair position to put an employer in and could leave everyone flustered!

Also, please call your state's Department of Labor about the state requirements for employers. My company operates in different states and we have to follow different rules each place we go. Some breaks are paid, some are unpaid, some aren't even requried. Though federal law says you have to be given breaks to pump, that does not apply to companies with less than 50 employees where the break would be an undue burden to them.

Knowing what the state requirements are ahead of time will help you once you have the job offer. No employer is going to turn away someone they really want just because the state doesn't say they have to provide a break! But, knowing what their understanding is going into the discussion could help greatly, and you could have some suggestions ready as to how to make this help. Good luck!

You need to have a job that is a good fit or you will be miserable. A job that won't hire you because you need to pump is not a good fit so ask them is it going to be difficult to pump at work when they ask you do you have any questions about the job.

As with everything the requirement is reasonable accommodations. In say a fast food environment reasonable would be a break to go to a stall or your car and pump. May not be reasonable for you so you wouldn't want a job like that.

Here we had two moms who pumped. They could do it at their desks so far as we cared, or the bathroom, or standing in the lobby, what we were not required to do is make them a special space. They were welcome to nab a board room when we weren't using them. They could have use of whatever we had. One of them didn't like that, she wanted to go home, that was fine as well, she clocked out and went home. We were not required by law to pay her when she left the building. Inside the building we did not require her to clock out.

I know in our state you can be required to clock out for breaks and lunches, we do not require that of any of our employees unless they leave the building so the same rules applied to pumping.

You don't say what types of positions you are applying for, so it's difficult to respond to this. Factors to consider:
1. You don't "tell" your employer anything. You inquire about their policy. I would do so after they have extended an offer, but before you accept. Remember that you are not in a position to "demand" anything and you will need to use your lunch/break time to pump.
2. Keep in mind that your rights (including break times) may be different as a part time employee.
3. You can pump in the car. I used a pumping bra and a nursing cover and found that my morning and afternoon commute were very good pumping opportunities.
4. If the compnay or HR manager is not comfortable discussing this with you, then you probably don't want to work for them.
5. Do some online research and see what would apply to you. Keep in mind that you are permitted to use your alloted break time, but if you go beyond that time, they can take it out of your hourly pay.

Your desire to continue nursing does not exceed your responsibility to do your job as an employee from the corporate point of view.

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/employmentlaw/qt/nursing-mo...

When they offer you the job and you are talking schedule. Make it seem like it will not be a burden to them. You just need a space for a few minutes here and there. I once told someone I bet my time in the pumping room was less than the guy in accounting's smoke breaks. I had an hour for lunch, so I ate quickly and pumped for the duration of my time. I pumped in the car (hands free) if I had to work right up to pickup time for my DD. Etc. I made it work for a year after I returned to work.

So first find out if you have the job, the schedule of the job and how you can minimize the time away from your desk (sometimes I took documents to read) without messing up your supply.

Here is a link you may find useful: http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/breastfeeding-...

I would wait until you were hired. I've pumped at 3 different companies, some bigger/smaller than others. Some had a very nice lacation rooms others I had a closet. I think most companies are not against pumping and do what they can to help you. I've always used my breaks and lunches to pump. I would pump in the car on the way to work, lunch and pump on the way home. I made enough milk where this was more than what she was drinking in a day . . . I will also say this was when I had an hour commute. I used the 15 min breaks at first, but didn't need them.

Good luck!!

I can't really add to the wonderful suggestions already written; I just wanted to applaud you for breastfeeding!! I know it's a personal choice (so don't everyone jump on me) but it doesn't seem like many women do it and especially the really young moms. It's sad (to me) they are missing out on a wonderful bonding time with their baby. I did it with both my babies and loved it!!

Good luck in your job search!!

How many hours a day are you looking to work? If you're working 4 hours a day, wouldn't you spend a lot of that time pumping?

You don't need to tell them that you need to pump. They must allow you time to do it so long as you are not abusing the time but broach that subject once you are hired. If you need a private room, ask politely if there is a private place or find one yourself. I pumped during work. I teach and I just did it in my office or the telescope room. As long as I did my job (didn't leave class to pump, that's just abusing the rule), no one really needed to know when and where I was pumping but my employers did know I was doing it since I was pregnant... and then not. lol

Start off with taking time from your lunch and breaks but if it's not enough, definitely ask. You will get better reception having tried to take your own time first. Just let them know that you need a few extra minutes. It should be no big deal but I guess that depends on your job.

don't make a huge deal about it. in fact don't bring it up. i was wondering, how were you planning on bringing it up? like, btw, i need to stop at such and such time and use the breastpump?
also, where were you thinking about pumping? bathrooms or office, in front of others?
if you want the job, get the job, then once you start working, see how the 'taking breaks' works.

You have to be granted time to pump and/or nurse. Just tell them when discussing your schedule.