https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:34:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1735281 Wed, 02 Jul 2014 07:13:13 +0000 Applesandbananas 1735281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: that sucks so bad :( </p> <p>Have you researched whether it's a requirement that it can't be a workspace? I think HR tends to be less than fully knowledgeable about pumping laws. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1735230 Wed, 02 Jul 2014 06:17:31 +0000 Adira 1735230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: haha, I don't know if I buy it either, but it doesn't matter. Even if they had a LAN hookup in there, I wouldn't be able to do my work. All my work is on a desktop in my office, so I can't just lug it around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1735226 Wed, 02 Jul 2014 06:12:12 +0000 blackbird 1735226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Erm.....I don't know if I buy that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1735221 Wed, 02 Jul 2014 06:06:40 +0000 Adira 1735221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Applesandbananas: Yeah, they gave me some shpeal about how they legally couldn't make it a work place or something like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734922 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 19:54:38 +0000 Applesandbananas 1734922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's absurd! Have you talked to them about making working in the lactation room an option? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734898 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 19:44:41 +0000 Adira 1734898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catomd00: Unfortunately I'm not able to work in the room that's been provided to pump! And I always tried to get to work as early as I could, but I had to nurse Xander before and after work, so working extra just meant I had to pump more, so it didn't really help!</p> <p>@catlady: I had saved up soooooo much vacation time before I had Xander, so I did have plenty to cover all the time pumping. But yeah, I think stubbornness kept me going for the most part!!</p> <p>@Mrs. High Heels: Yeah, I agree. I really wish they could just provide us time to pump instead of having to use up all my vacation time! Maybe someday... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734636 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:56:16 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1734636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm glad you're better off than before, so that you can continue to pump after you've exhausted your maternity leave hours and not have to stress about that anymore... but I really hope they do more in the future! It's still not good enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734633 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:53:19 +0000 catlady 1734633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm glad that your company has a policy in place now, but it makes me sad for you that you had/have to use so much vacation time to pump. You are a strong woman! I don't think I would have kept up pumping so long if I had to use my vacation hours for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734614 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:38:09 +0000 catomd00 1734614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are one committed mama to use all your vacation time to pump! It's always nice to see employers put policies in place that acknowledge mother's needs (even if the policies suck like yours!) Are you able to work through pumping (I bring my computer into the office I pump in and just keep on working). I also get into work 15-30 minutes early to make up some pumping time and rarely take a lunch break. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734586 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:19:04 +0000 Adira 1734586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: I'm exempt so those laws don't apply to me!</p> <p>@Tanjowen: I guess it's not a penalty. They have to provide breaks and a place to pump but they do NOT have to provide compensation for my time!</p> <p>@MrsMccarthy: I wish they'd just let me bring my kid to work so I could nurse and didn't have to pump, haha! Though I'd probably be REALLY unproductive then!</p> <p>@JoyfulKiwi: haha, I suspect someone would take me to HR is I pumped in public and then they'd be all "We provide you with a room to do that!!!" Oh well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734471 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 14:10:38 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1734471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: it seemed to me that they did it on purpose, which sucks and is so mean! Also, I talk big but I'd probably not actually pump in a room full of people - that's just my fiery side coming out! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734456 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 14:03:34 +0000 MrsMccarthy 1734456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yay for improvements! Boo for lunch and all the unfair struggles you had last year. Xander is so lucky to have such commitment from you. I hated pumping and I hardly ever had to do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734454 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 14:03:19 +0000 Tanjowen 1734454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I thought the Department of Labor required companies to provide breaks and a place to pump without penalty? Or is your company exempt? My job had to provide both for pumping moms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734445 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 14:00:18 +0000 yoursilverlining 1734445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Don't tell HR you work through your (unpaid) lunch!! In some states that won't fly under wage and hour laws. </p> <p>That sucks all around man. I can't imagine having to use all my vacation time to pump. Can you pump for like 15 minutes at a time and just take long bathroom breaks throughout the day? :silly: The whole system (healthcare, maternity leave, nursing mother laws, etc.) needs a *major* overhaul - though I doubt that will happen anytime soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734436 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:55:03 +0000 Adira 1734436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: I'm not paid for lunch, so I'm already working through it to try to make up as much time as possible! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734433 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:53:38 +0000 sunny 1734433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used my pumping time to catch up on email and do things like code reviews or run tests. It sucks that you have to use your sick time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734427 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:50:41 +0000 Smurfette 1734427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: There should be some other way for you to pump and not have to use your vacation. Can you use your lunch time? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734425 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:50:24 +0000 Adira 1734425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: hahaha, I'll do that if I can, but it's not often I have stuff like that that I could actually claim I'm working. I'm a software engineer, so most of the time I'm coding or, at least, looking at code! If I don't have access to it, I pretty much can't work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734421 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:49:12 +0000 Mamaof2 1734421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I think I would print something to read/review and take it with you while you pump - that way are you are still "working" :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734413 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:46:52 +0000 Adira 1734413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: I'm hoping that I will also be able to take exceptional excused time for those circumstances! But... who knows. :( I think, in general, exempt employees cannot go unpaid, so if I've used up my sick, vacation, and excused time, I'm hoping they'll allow me to use the exceptional excused time when I have to stay home or leave early due to me or the kids being sick! Fingers crossed anyway!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734403 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:43:28 +0000 Adira 1734403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoyfulKiwi: They set it up intentionally this way. I believe that the guidelines might state it has to be a non-work area or something? I'm not positive, but I know they did this on purpose.</p> <p>And I do work in a cubical with all men! I'd feel REALLY uncomfortable pumping in front of them! Especially because I have an older gentleman as my cubemate! I'm sure he will appreciate me NOT pumping here, haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734395 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:41:43 +0000 Smurfette 1734395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It so blows that you have to use your vacation and sick time. </p> <p>What are you going to do if Xander and baby2 are sick? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734384 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:38:52 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1734384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This seems crazy to me! Why do they not have the mothers room set up so you can work while you pump? That seems like their problem, not the employees. </p> <p>Do you work in a cubical/communal area? I swear, I'd pump at my cubical with a big wrap around me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734357 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:29:00 +0000 Adira 1734357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cmomma17: haha, it's not ideal! Ideal would be them just giving me a charge code so I could pump and not have to use my vacation time! BUT it's better than what I thought it would be, so I'll take it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734355 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:27:54 +0000 cmomma17 1734355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I'm happy if you're happy. But it still blows that you have to use up all your sick and vacay time! :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734351 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:27:07 +0000 Adira 1734351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: haha, yeah, it does still suck. And no. The mother's room isn't set up with a LAN connection and none of my work can be done offline, so I don't have the option to work while I pump, unfortunately. It definitely sucks, but I was worried I was going to have to go unpaid or be forced to switch to part-time, so I'm relieved that's not the case! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734343 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:25:01 +0000 blackbird 1734343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Geez. This policy still sucks, man! Don't you have a laptop and can't you just take that into the room with you when you pump? That's what everyone does here!</p> <p>Running off of zero vacation and sick time isn't a great alternative. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734332 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:21:47 +0000 Adira 1734332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: I think so! I had to use half an hour every day for the first 6 months or so and then I was using an hour every day for the last 4 months! It was definitely ridiculous!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734324 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:17:03 +0000 Raindrop 1734324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow you used 120 hours of excuse/vacation time with your first! That's kind of crazy. Breast feeding did not go well for me the first time so I wasn't even pumping by the time I came back to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/yay-my-company-finally-added-labor-guidance-for-nursing-mothers#post-1734299 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:05:35 +0000 Adira 1734299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So figuring out exactly the whole pumping situation at work has always been such a pain in the butt and I had to go through HR who had to go through our Labor people to figure out the guidance, blah blah blah. Basically I was told that Exempt employees (me) needed to make up the time or use our vacation/excused time to cover it. So that's what I did. I probably used over 120 hours of vacation and excused time to cover my time pumping for Xander!</p> <p>So now that I'm pregnant again, I realized I'm going to be using up ALL my time while I'm out on maternity leave and I'm going to come back to work with a zero balance! Booo!! So I asked HR what that would mean for when I have to pump since it's unlikely I'll be able to make up the time. HR said she'd have to get back to me but they just released a new Labor Guidance Manual that finally INCLUDES info for nursing mothers and it says this:</p> <p>"Exempt employees using the nursing mother's room may make up the time, or charge the time to excused time or vacation. If an exempt employee does not have excused or vacation to use, and cannot make up the time, they may charge exceptional excused time with HR approval"</p> <p>It still sucks we have to use our excused/vacation time, but now I know if I run out, I can get approval from HR to charge exceptional excused time to cover pumping!! I'm so excited about this update because this whole worry was totally freaking me out, haha! </p>