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Returning to work while breastfeeding or pumping can be a challenge. Fortunately, this is a protected Right under the law. Effective Jan. 8, 2018, New Jersey law (P.L.2017, Chapter 263) requires protections and accommodations for employees who breastfeed and wish to pump in the workplace. The new law provides:
“Breastfeeding” is now a protected class under the NJ Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-12) (LAD), so it is illegal to discriminate against a person in employment on the basis of their breastfeeding status.
All employers must provide reasonable accommodations to breastfeeding employees which include reasonable break time and a private place to pump other than a toilet stall, that is in close proximity to the employee’s work area.
Each building should have a private space for lactating individuals. It should not be a restroom. The location should have a locking door, electrical outlet, table and chair. Ideally there should be a sink and/or microwave nearby for cleaning your pump parts along with a fridge to store your milk. The pumping location should be available any time you need it. Main office secretaries can issue you a key for the pumping room upon your return to work.
The most common concern is time. Remember, pumping time is protected under the law.
About 1-2 weeks before your anticipated return, email your supervisor informing them of your current feeding schedule. Based on the rotating block, most classroom staff members will need coverage to pump. Your supervisor can arrange this with administration. Staff members should not be arranging their own coverage schedules.
Pumping at home may take 15 minute, but remember to allow time to walk to the pumping location, wash your hands, assemble your pump, express your milk, disassemble your pump, store your milk, sanitize your pump parts and return to work. While most members need approximately 30 minutes of coverage, some will need more or less time. It is common to need to pump every time your baby feeds while you are away. This would be about every 3 hours for a baby under 6 months but will change as baby's patterns change or they being solid foods.
Read an NJEA Review article on Pumping at Work by Lauren Zucker, PhD of Northern Highlands Regional HS in Allendale, NJ.
Remember staying hydrated and minimizing additional stress will help to maintain your supply.
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