World Breastfeeding Week 2022

 

In 2022, reports of women receiving criticism for breastfeeding in public are still sadly occurring. Only recently, a staff of a major supermarket chain reduced a mother to tears after being told that she was being “inappropriate” for breastfeeding her child while in her car in the supermarket car park. In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, we consider positive breastfeeding initiatives for supporting breastfeeding employees in the workplace.

 

What Rights Do Breastfeeding Employees Have? 

 

Breastfeeding Mothers have several rights such as:

• The right to not suffer less favourable employment terms, opportunities, and conditions due to breast feeding.
• Time off to feed their baby or express milk (breaks should be approximately 20 minutes each).

 

What Requirements Are on Employers?

 

Employees should provide their employer with a confirmation they are Breastfeeding. Where this is received before the return to work, it allows the employer to consider how best to provide a healthy, safe, and suitable environment. Employers should have policies to facilitate breast feeding in the workplace and ensure employees are aware of this. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 legislation requires employers to complete a risk assessment to ensure a safe environment. This may involve revisiting a risk assessment carried out during pregnancy. Employers should be flexible regarding working hours and consider allowing Mothers to make up time when they have taken a break to express or feed their baby. There is no legal requirement for an employer to provide storage for milk, but this may be something that they can do.

 

Practical Considerations

 

1. Discuss Breastfeeding during pregnancy and at the point of return. It could be helpful to have a nominated point of contact for the employee if they need additional support.
2. Consider where an employee could express or feed their child. A toilet is not a suitable venue as many pumps require access to an electric point.
3. Consider where an employee could store any expressed milk.
4. Reassure employees that you will work with them to make adjustments to enable them to express or feed their child.
5. Have a policy on how you will support Breastfeeding.

 

How Can Think People Help?

 

Think People can provide employers with advice and support when it comes to supporting their own staff’s pregnancies and return to work following maternity leave. Think People can also review or draft policies on supporting Breastfeeding in the workplace. If you would like more information, contact us at:

Office: +44 (0) 2890 310450, +353 (0) 1969 7865

Email: enquiries@thinkpeople.co.uk