Nursing mothers did you know you have important rights in California? Did you know you have the right to pump at work? In CA, every employer is required to provide a reasonable amount of break time to accommodate a nursing employee to express breast milk (i.e. pump). This is called a Lactation Accommodation.
The CA Labor Commissioner’s Office has put together some FAQs and answers to help mothers better understand these rights:
1. Q. Does an employer have to provide an employee with additional break time to express breast milk?
A. Yes, an employer must provide additional break time to employees who need it.
2. Q. Does an employer have to pay for the additional time to express breast milk?
A. No. While the employer must allow an employee to leave the work area to pump, the employer does not have to pay for pumping time, beyond the standard break time.
3. Q. Can an employer demand a doctor’s note or other medical documentation?
A. No. Your employer cannot require you to submit any documentation regarding your need to express breast milk.
4. Q. Does an employer have to provide someone with a place to express breast milk?
A. Yes, your employer must provide you with the use of a room or other location, other than a bathroom, in close proximity to your work area, shielded from view, and free from intrusion while you are expressing milk in private. This may include the place where the employee normally works if it otherwise meets the requirements.
5. Q. What happens if an employer does not provide someone with the opportunity to take a break for lactation purposes?
A. If you feel your employer is not providing you with adequate break time and/or a place to express milk as provided for in Labor Code section 1030, you may file a wage claim to recover one hour of premium pay at your regular rate of pay for each violation.
Visit the CA Labor Commissioner’s Office website for more info.
https://lnkd.in/d5iUB7Zr
