Hellobee Boards

That's really unprofessional. If they keep it up, I would go to HR, make a formal complaint and name names of people who are making you feel uncomfortable. They can have a one-on-one discussion with each of those individuals and make THEM feel uncomfortable.

@Mrs. Lovejoy: What about accidentally shutting the door as you leave?

I agree with pps that the comments and behavior is appallingly unprofessional. It should be reported if it continues (if it happened to a co-worker, what would you recommend she do?). Even more important than people liking you is people *respecting* you.

I shut my door frequently at work to keep out noise and notorious time wasters. I always felt a little self-conscious while pumping, but, I feel self-conscious generally, about many things, so I try to keep it in perspective . . . I am way more embarrassed to buy tampons that I ever was about pumping!

That is beyond unprofessional and honestly I feel like are grounds for harassment. I hope one of the ladies whom are in HR chime in.

Irregardless I would have a talk with 'grandpa'. The only reason the other guys think it's OK is because he does it. Or is there a HR person you can talk to discreetly?

What about banding together with the other pregnant ladies?

Wow, apparently you work with 9 year olds. And the next time I heard a comment, that's what I'd say.

You should not feel uncomfortable. There is nothing to be embarrassed about at all! Me and three other ladies in my office had a similar experience dealing with men acting uncomfortable about our pumping room (storage closet) but we all finally were like, "You know what? This is not an embarrassing topic. We are doing what we need to do to feed our babies."
We ended up calling our room "the clubhouse" and that seemed to ease the stigma surrounding the whole "woooo look at me, I'm going to go pump!". We would just tell our manager (male) that, "Oh, so and so is in the clubhouse," if anyone asked where someone was, and the more we acted like it was no big deal, the better it got.
I'm so sorry that you have to be the groundbreaker- that is so hard! Definitely talk to HR about comments like the one you've received (I'm sorry, but "boob room" is completely inappropriate!!) and try to keep your head held high. Remember, there is nothing to be ashamed about. You're doing something to feed your child, and don't let anyone make you feel embarrassed about that.

That's really bad. I would call it harassment, too, and I really think you should talk to HR. Maybe they can give you a key to the room so that it can stay closed and the auto-locking isn't an issue.

As background, I'm a proud mama of a 1+ year old who pumped from 5 months until 2 weeks ago when my baby turned one. I'm an attorney at a major NYC law firm, in a heavily male dominated department. I regularly had partners knocking on my door or trying to bust in while I was pumping. So what did I do, I put up a big ol' do not disturb sign and I made it known that anytime my door was closed, I was pumping.

I think there are two things going on here with you. First, you feel uncomfortable because you think everyone knows exactly what you are doing. You know what, they do and you should be proud that they know it. You are ABSOLUTELY amazing for being a working momma and providing for your child. That is serious dedication.

Second, if I could curse and swear on this board, I would. Those men are absolute pigs and totally disrespectful. They are the embarrassments and I am SURE if their wives or daughters knew how they were making you feel, they would be in deep trouble. They need to grow the *f* up. I absolutely would 100% talk to HR about the inappropriate behavior. That is precisely why they are there. And btw, if they try to "screw up your job" after you talk to HR and get them in trouble, that is called retaliation and should also be reported to HR.

I would talk to HR. That is so inappropriate! I'm so sorry you have to deal with them.

I would call that harassment. Retaliation is also illegal. You have the law, and likely company policy, on your side. I'll be pumping at work when I go back next week, and I'll approach from the zero shame model. If they want to make something of it, I *will* make something of it. Thankfully, I'm pretty sure that my colleagues aren't in 7th grade.

Can you put a sign on the door labeling it as "The Mother's Room"? They may be at a loss for what to actually call it so they are resorting to grade school names. At my office, we have two rooms labeled as Mother's Rooms. You reserve them through outlook like any other meeting room.

NOT cool.

I get self conscious about our BRIGHT PINK signs and I work in a very mom-friendly/BF-supported work environment. THE BOOB ROOM? seriously what is this middle school?

So inappropriate and unprofessional and I think that sounds an awful lot like harassment.

@Mrs. Lovejoy: Glad you were able to talk to HR. Hopefully they find a good solution.