Your right to pump at work

Barbara Turvett, Executive Editor of Working Mother Magazine, explains the laws protecting a mother's right to pumping at work, and the benefits that allowing women to do so has for the employer and the mother
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Your right to pump at work

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There's no doubt about it, breastfeeding when you go back to work, can be challenging. But here's the deal, the new mom at work can pump breast milk, period. It's now a Federal Law. Moms are entitled to a reasonable break time and a sanitary private space that's not a bathroom to pump milk, in most companies that are over 50 or 60 people. With some 30 million moms in the workplace, smart businesses know that with supporting the choice to breastfeed can increase employee retention, productivity, and engagement. Breastfeeding promotes healthier babies, which makes for happier moms and better employees. That being said, some bosses and colleagues really aren't totally on board with this. Bosses and colleagues that judge this are doing a disservice not only to their own company, but to the economy and society as well. My advice to working moms who need to pump at work: Just do it knowing that the law and nature are on your side. Judgmental colleagues, just need to get over themselves.

Barbara Turvett, Executive Editor of Working Mother Magazine, explains the laws protecting a mother's right to pumping at work, and the benefits that allowing women to do so has for the employer and the mother

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Barbara Turvett

Working Mother Magazine Executive Editor

As Working Mother magazine’s Executive Editor, Barbara Turvett is integrally involved in the magazine’s editorial viewpoint and planning. She oversees and edits women’s, family and work life content, top edits the entire magazine and also contributes to workingmother.com. Barbara has specialized in parenting, women’s health and education topics throughout her career. She has written and edited for many national publications and websites, among them Parenting, Parents, Family Circle, Weight Watchers, Child, McCall’s, Sesame Street Parents, Healthy Kids, Men’s Fitness and American Baby magazines. Barbara has edited two award-winning early childhood education books, and she has written a health book and edited several cookbooks for Weight Watchers Publishing Group. Prior to life in publishing, she was an actress and singer and performed in film, theatre and nightclubs. Barbara enjoys life in New York City with her husband, teenage daughter and pet cockatiel.

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Transcription: 
There's no doubt about it, breastfeeding when you go back to work, can be challenging. But here's the deal, the new mom at work can pump breast milk, period. It's now a Federal Law. Moms are entitled to a reasonable break time and a sanitary private space that's not a bathroom to pump milk, in most companies that are over 50 or 60 people. With some 30 million moms in the workplace, smart businesses know that with supporting the choice to breastfeed can increase employee retention, productivity, and engagement. Breastfeeding promotes healthier babies, which makes for happier moms and better employees. That being said, some bosses and colleagues really aren't totally on board with this. Bosses and colleagues that judge this are doing a disservice not only to their own company, but to the economy and society as well. My advice to working moms who need to pump at work: Just do it knowing that the law and nature are on your side. Judgmental colleagues, just need to get over themselves.