No More Pumping in the Bathroom: New Law Requires Private Nursing Space for Moms

One more reason to not hire women of childbearing age. Sorry ladies, I've got a business to run and a budget to meet and building you a pumping room ain't part of it.

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csi8299 has a point, actually. There's a price to pay for accommodations that burden employers, and whether it's intended or not, women pay them. I have worked in international businesses where I've observed how much opportunity there is in those "progressive" countries where they have more accommodations for women. Those countries have far fewer women in key positions than the US has. And outside the government, I have never seen a mother of young children in a high-level corporate meeting except in the USA. Whether it's legal or not, they don't promote as many women because it would burden them too much. Who's going to put a women in a key position only to have her take off a year to have a baby? Hello? Yet it's very hard to prove that the reason you didn't get hired or promoted to a better job is due to your gender. So the reality is, if you are a career-oriented woman, the best place for you to live and work is in the USA. If pumping your breasts or taking a long maternity leave is more important to you than advancing in your career, then look for a 9-5 job with a big company or the government. But then, don't complain about the pay or the lack of challenge. If you are one of those unusual women who are highly productive at work despite being supermom, look for a job with a company that makes recruiting/developing/retaining women a priority, and you'll find plenty of accommodations as well as better pay than what you'd find in Canada, Europe, etc; coupled with lower taxes. If you are a woman who doesn't want kids, can't have kids, or is satisified with having kids but sharing some of the "earth mother" roles with delegees (and formula), then be happy that you live in a country where you have a decent shot at rising to the top and not paying for other womens' different choices.

Of course, the way things are going, my comments may be obsolete soon - the USA is moving toward more and more policies that punish both employers and employees for others' choices, while nationalizing industries. I'm not sure how much longer today's meaningful careers will continue to be as meaningful - for women or men.

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you guys who think childbearing women shouldn't be allowed to work need a reality check. what about positions like obstetricians and ob-gyns? those are two proffesions where its to your advantage to have kids. i mean, really guys. this stuff is coming from a 13 year old. i know more than you and you guys are probably 20 or 30 years older! TIME FOR A GUT CHECK.

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Not all companies are heartless. And it isn't all that difficult to accomodate a nursing mother. When my first son was born I worked in an office setting and the company was very nice about finding a place for me to pump. It was a little 'sitting room' with a couch that was attached to a bathroom. The outside door locked and there was another door to seperate the sitting room from the bathroom. I had all the privacy I needed. The company never had to make any changes, they weren't inconvenienced and it didn't cost them any extra money. I used my breaks and lunchtime to pump even though I didn't have to. They never docked my paychecks if I needed a little extra time. My work was always done on time and they never had a reason to complain about my time away from my desk. They were a great company to work for. Pumping does not take long at all, 15-20 minutes once your on a schedule and most women would be willing to make that up at the end of their shift, I know I would stay a little later on the days it took me a little longer.

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I am a business owner and a mother who breastfed. I am all for supporting women, but I do not need the government forcing my hand. In my job, if a woman requests time to breast feed or pump, I make personal accommodations for them.

Laws like these are put in place because a small minority have been unjustly fired. It is not indicative how most companies run their business and does not necessitate passing a law.

As a business owner I make it my mission to ensure the comfort and happiness of my employees and resent being put in a position of potentially being sued if I don't follow the exact federal protocol.

In my opinion, this law is just another step toward making the American workplace the most contentious and litigious in the world.
And in my opinion, it is going to negatively impact the numbers of women that are hired at companies.

The more laws that are put in place requiring businesses to give special treatment to women means that fewer young females will be hired due to the threat of potential lawsuits and the costs of forced compliance.

Why does the misfortune of a few require the passing of a law that will negatively affect so many?

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When I had my first child the nurse in the plant insisted I give her a date when my child was due. I refused, turns out, it was none of their business. I worked in the office and it was not hazardous to me, my child or anyone else.

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Honestly a womens right to breast feed is her own decision. in the Navy it is specifically built into thier regulations to allow a place for privacy and running water for the duration of the time for her brestfeeding. Times to be allowed to do so are to be worked out between herself and her supervisor. If the military can make the concessions then why can the private force not? I am a mother of a 7 month old and had the choice to breastfeed or formula feed. i chose to formula feed. Yes there are many advantages to breastfeeding but over all formula is now very comparable to breast milk and every day more and more advancements are being made to make it even better. By the way just as a side note, breast milk is only as good as what you put in your system before your pregnancy and after. All those mothers who did drugs, heavy drinking smoking, poor eating habits, or worked with hazardous chemicals prior to the pregnancy and choose to breastfeed afterwords lets get real your not giving your child the best milk out there for it.

Let women who breast feed do so on thier own time and stop demanding so much. Once you give space, then it will be time then it will be more and more, it never stops aand we can look thorughout history at what appeasement does (world war II ringa bell to anyone)

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While I understand the small business owners who are justifiably concerned about the expense and possible litigation involved in this being passed, there are already laws like this in most states (my native FL being one), and they actually give quite a bit of wiggle room in favor of the employer in regards to accommodating the nursing mom/employee. The only reason there is a federal law being processed is for the few employers (like csi-asshat) who think that pushing a kid out of your crotch and serving your 6 weeks (UNPAID by asshat) maternity leave is where your rights as a mom end and that you have no rights as a mom afterward. (like all the ones who think that once you punch in, you are the company b*tch and you otherwise cease to exist...)

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I am a business owner and honestly I'd be happy to have to comply to a law like this. When I had my first daughter I still worked for one of the Fortune 100 companies that had insanely strict rules about taking a break to use the restroom, let alone let you breasfteed. In my last trimester I needed a doctor's note to be able to take 5 minute breaks here and there to walk. I had an office job!!! I know a lot of companies who would find the first reason to fire you if you God forbid take a breastfeeding break! And I really hope this law is put in place for those moms who have to go back to work and still want to do what's best for their child!
I think we already are the world's most litigious country! You can sue anyone for anything here and usually win. We are here BECAUSE of the lack of regulations! If a company of 50+ workers is able to provide the space fore them to work, I am sure they could come up with what amounts to a chair somwhere for a nursing mother to pump and a 30 minute pumping break!

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I think if they take ime off the job to pump they eed to make it up during the day sometime. Maybe skip other breaks, part of lunch, or come in earlier the next day or stay later that night.

That wouls only be fair to everyone.

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