Going Back to Work? Know Your Rights
Going Back to Work? Know Your RightsIt’s a fact: most parents of new babies will return to work sometime in the first year after their baby is born. Thiscan be a difficult transition for many parents, especially if you don’t know your rights as a working parent. Thegood news is that you do have rights under federal and state laws.First, it is important to understand your rights in the workplace, especially when it comes to breastfeeding. Ifyou’re breastfeeding, your employer must provide you time and a place to pump breast milk. According to theBreak Time for Nursing Mothers Law, employers have to give breastfeeding mothers extra time for pumpingthat’s not part of their regular break. They also have to provide a dedicated space. This space must not be abathroom, but a private area for nursing mothers with seating and electrical outlets.There may also be other laws in your state covering breastfeeding rights. Make sure to ask your HRdepartment or supervisor for a copy of any policies your company has on breastfeeding, so you fullyunderstand your rights. If you can, start the conversation with your employer about accommodations to pumpbefore you go on maternity leave. This will give your supervisor time to plan and educate your co-workersabout pumping breaks.If your employer is not giving you the time and space to pump, discuss your concerns with your humanresources department. Parenting also comes with many new responsibilities, and many returning parents areconcerned about facing discrimination or losing ground at work. This type of discrimination is called FamilyResponsibility Discrimination.There is no federal law against family discrimination, but laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act and EqualPay Act do provide some protections. Don’t be afraid to talk to your Human Resources department if you havequestions or concerns about the laws that relate to you.Remember, to make the transition back to work smooth, know your rights. Do your homework, prepare, andmake sure your employer can accommodate your new role as a working mom.For more information on federal laws, visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission atwww.eeoc.gov.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG56257A EN GoingBackToWorkKnowYourRights.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 1
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