Pumping at Work

[Mum to F&A]

I'm just wondering if I could hear from those of you who had success with this? I'm returning to work on the 11th June when DS2 will be 8months and I will be workin 9-4 Mon-Weds. I want to continue BF until DS2 is a yr old as DS1 has a milk allergy. DS2 seems fine so far but I'm erring on the side of caution.

So I was going to do one pumping during the day at work Mon-Wed. Last time it wasn't a problem. But this time the want me to write a letter explaining, where I intend on pumping, how I'm storing the milk (in the fridge!), how long I needed and the impact on my colleagues?!! When I last spoke to my line manager she said I could use one of the spare rooms to pump and they were going to get a lock fitted. There's a fridge in the staff room and I was going to get a microwave sterilizer. She said a health & safety assesment needs to be carried out?

Anyone got any experience with this? I never had to do any of this last time round. And there was no issue with my colleagues. TBH I'd be perfectly happy about pumping on my lunch break.

THe whole thing has made me feel uncomfortable though, does anyone think it would be an issue if I just didn't pump during the day for those feeds?

[Khalam's Mama]

Have you spoken to HR? I think there should be a policy rather than you have to write a proposal that they might not be happy with anyway.

[Mum to F&A]

No not yet. Was too late to ring them when she rang me up. I will ring them on Monday, but I don't have much faith in my HR!

[Shiv52]

Agree with KM.  THey should be providing you with a policy not the other way round.  I'd just ring back and say you think there has been some misunderstanding and that you look forward to them providing you with those details!  I'd tell them how long you think you need but otherwise it is upto them! 

[Fiver]

The below links give you some idea regarding legislation.  It sounds to me like they're trying to get you to do their risk assessment for them!!

http://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/law.htm
http://www.maternityaction.org.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/breastfeeding.pdf

[Mum to F&A]

Thank you for those links Amanda. I'm going to try and catch the maternity person on Monday because he will definately be able to tell me where I stand!

TBH my line managers aren't particuarly useful when it comes to protocol. My guess is they told her I have to put in request that I want to pump when I go back to work. Not that I have to sort out where and how! It's such a small building there really was only one place I can go.

[Fiver]

If you're going to be difficult, you can always go down the route of potentially getting mastitis if you're unable to pump and the allergy issues you've had with #1 which would be causing you or your baby health and safety issues.  What a nuisance.

[Mum to F&A]

Raaar!!!
Thought I'd let you all know an update! Thank you for the advice to speak to HR they told me to stand my ground! They said thry told my manager she had to find somewhere for me to pump or give up her office! And they did not tell her to get me to put it in writing. She wanted to put me in the toilet and they told her it's unacceptable.

She's just putting up roadblocks. Now, how do I approach her with this one! 

[Fiver]

 

Oh my word, that is JUST disgraceful!  Any chance she would have her lunch in the loo while you pump?!

One approach could be that you are completely within your rights to continue your BF relationship while at work and how would she like you to put in an Employment Tribunal claim for sex discrimination?  You could also submit a grievance so she knows you're serious and HR can't then brush it under the carpet.

Cr*ppy situation, though, sorry she's being so difficult

[Khalam's Mama]

I would email her and copy HR in and just ask her to confirm the company policy and what she would find acceptable. Hopefully she will then realise she isn't going to get away with getting you to do the work. Maybe just briefly say how many times and how long you feel you may need. Glad HR sound like they are on your side.

[Fiver]

^^^that's probably a better suggestion