As women leave the workforce in record numbers, it’s time for employers to consider the ways they can attract and retain working mothers. One important (and typically low-cost) step is creating a breastfeeding friendly workplace. Not only will this help you retain talent, but breastfeeding employees who feel supported at work report higher productivity.
Don’t know where to get started? The following resources will help you understand why and how you should support your employees who are breastfeeding their babies.
Making it Work: Employers Supporting Breastfeeding Families
This guide from WorkWell NC is a comprehensive look at the benefits of breastfeeding for children, moms, and even your business. It includes a checklist for employers, solutions for supporting breastfeeding women in various working environments, and frequently asked questions.
Lactation Break Time Information by Industry Sector
The U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Women’s Health provides information in industry sectors on how to implement the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) Act. The following industries are covered: restaurants and hotels; retail and personal services; health care; education; manufacturing, factories and warehouses; transportation; public spaces, office jobs and outdoor job sites.
How Companies Can Support Breastfeeding Employees
This piece from the Harvard Business Review discusses the laws around supporting breastfeeding employees along with nine key best practices for staying within those laws and implementing policies that retain employees and save money.
Lactation Support for Low-Wage Workers
California WIC released this guide that outlines the benefits of offering a supportive workplace for breastfeeding employees along with special considerations for low-wage workers.
Family Forward NC’s Support for Breastfeeding Mothers
The Family Forward NC breastfeeding site offers research, recommendations, and a successful case study with a sample business HR policy for supporting breastfeeding mothers.
Supporting Lactating Employees During COVID-19
Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities of Durham (Breastfeed Durham) and Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities of Orange County have created a resource specific to supporting breastfeeding workers during COVID-19.